Your familiar text files
Open and save ordinary .txt and .md files. Keep several documents together in tabs.
Small app. Room to think.
A little space
for your words.
A simple place for notes, lists, and ideas. Write plain text, or watch your Markdown turn into a neatly formatted page as you type.
MiniPad.exe · About 309 KB · No installer
On Linux? Find your version below →
Good things start
with a small note.
A thought worth keeping.
A plan for tomorrow.
A little list to clear your head.
✓ Put the kettle on
✓ Make a little space
□ See where the words take you
Your words. Your files. Your own pace.
An illustrated note — not an app screenshot.
Free for personal & commercial useWorks offlineNo telemetry
Comfortably simple
Just enough to make writing easier.
Keep everyday writing straightforward, with a few thoughtful extras when you need them.
See your words take shape
Live Markdown preview shows headings, lists, and more alongside your writing. Export to HTML when you're ready.
Make yourself comfortable
Choose a light or dark appearance, explore colour palettes, and adjust the zoom to suit your eyes.
You're three steps away
Download.
Open. Write.
No setup wizard and no collection of extra files. The Windows app carries its manual and licence inside.
- Download MiniPadUse the Windows download button above. The file is called
MiniPad.exe. - Open the downloaded fileMiniPad is portable: keep the program wherever you like. There's nothing to install.
- Make it your ownStart with a note. Press F1 for help or F9 to show or hide the preview.
A little help, if you need it.
Do I need to know Markdown?
No. MiniPad works with ordinary plain text. Markdown is optional: simple marks such as a # before a heading add formatting to your preview.
Which Windows versions can I use?
The MiniPad manual lists Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 as fully supported. The app needs .NET Framework 4.0 or later, included in Windows 8 and newer. For older Windows versions and other details, see the system requirements.
I'm using Linux. Where do I start?
The Linux version is minipad.py. It requires Python 3 and Tk. Follow the Linux getting-started instructions in the owner's manual.
Is MiniPad free?
Yes, for personal and commercial use. You may share the unmodified program at no charge. There are restrictions on modifying, distributing, and reusing the source; read the licence for the full terms.
Where can I find the full manual?
Press F1 inside MiniPad for the searchable manual, or read it online. You can also see what's changed.