Microsoft is sunsetting OneNote 2016 and gently pushing users to OneNote for Windows 10. The change relieves Microsoft from having to develop two versions of the same app, but it tasks users of OneNote 2016 with moving to an unfamiliar version of OneNote.
OneNote 2016 is the version of OneNote that came with Office 2016 and Office 365. If you’re using it now, you can continue to do so. Microsoft has stopped updating the app but will continue to provide support, bug fixes, and security updates through October 2020 for Office 2016 support and October 2025 for extended support.
Moving from OneNote 2016 to OneNote for Windows 10
OneNote for Windows 10 is pre-installed in Windows 10 and will be the default for Office 2019 when it releases later this year. It will also be the default for users who subscribe to Office 365 after Office 2019 launches.
If you currently use OneNote 2016 and update to Office 2019, the update will recognize OneNote 2016 and leave it in place. You won’t see any change. Likewise, Office 365 users who use OneNote 2016 won’t see any change after Office 2019 releases. If OneNote for Windows 10 is installed as the default, it can be replaced with OneNote 2016 if you wish.
You can ease the transition by using OneNote 2016 and OneNote for Windows 10 at the same time. OneNote 2016 stores notebooks on your local drive while OneNote for Windows 10 stores them in Microsoft’s cloud. You can sync the two versions through a cloud connection. Directions for how to use OneNote for Windows 10 to move notebooks from your local drive to the cloud can be found here.
After you’ve switched and are comfortable using OneNote for Windows 10, you can safely delete OneNote 2016 from your computer. Microsoft will provide instructions for how to do this sometime in the future.
How the two versions differ
Microsoft has been focusing development on OneNote for Windows 10 in preparation for closing OneNote 2016 down. You can find a long list of OneNote for Windows 10 features that aren’t available in OneNote 2016 here.
Microsoft has also been recreating popular OneNote 2016 features in OneNote for Windows 10. However, OneNote 2016 still has a number of features that OneNote for Windows 10 lacks. Some are scheduled for OneNote for Windows 10 and some aren’t. Here are three OneNote 2016 features that Microsoft plans to bring to OneNote for Windows 10 this summer.
- Tagging. Users can create, insert and search for custom tags.
- File viewing. Office files saved in the cloud can be viewed and edited inside OneNote.
- Class Notebooks. The Class Notebook add-on for OneNote 2016 will be fully integrated into OneNote for Windows 10.
Here are the features Microsoft lists as only being available in OneNote 2016.
- Create Outlook Tasks in your notes
- Pin your favorite commands to the Quick Access Toolbar
- Apply a template to pages to maintain a specific look or layout
- Record video
- Link your notes to webpages in Internet Explorer and Office files
- Store notebooks on your local hard drive instead of in the cloud, including backups
- Support for third-party COM add-ins
If you’d like to see these features included in OneNote for Windows 10, let Microsoft know using the company’s Feedback Hub.
Microsoft is doing what they can to ease the transition from OneNote 2016 to OneNote for Windows 10. However, OneNote 2016 users will still have to become familiar with the similar but different OneNote for Windows 10, or learn a new notetaking app that offers functions that OneNote for Windows 10 lacks. Moving to a different app is rarely enjoyable, but it’s a normal part of life for anyone who stays current with contemporary technology. That might be true, but it's still a chore that most of us wish we didn't have to do.