Overview
Windows Journal is a note-taking application that was first introduced in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. It's currently a component of all supported client versions of Windows through Windows 10 Version 1511. The file format that's used by Windows Journal (Journal Note File, or JNT) has been demonstrated to be susceptible to many security exploits. Therefore, Windows Journal will be removed from all versions of Microsoft Windows soon.
About this update
This update removes the Windows Journal component. We recommend that all users install this update immediately.
How to get this update
Method 1: Windows Update
This update is available on Windows Update. For more information about how to run Windows Update, see How to get an update through Windows Update.
Method 2: Microsoft Update Catalog
To get the stand-alone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
Method 3: Microsoft Download Center
The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center.
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Operating system |
Update |
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All supported x86-based versions of Windows 8.1 |
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All supported x64-based versions of Windows 8.1 |
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All supported x86-based versions of Windows 7 |
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All supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 |
For more information about how to download Microsoft support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
119591 How to obtain Microsoft support files from online services Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.
Update detail information
Prerequisites
To apply this update, you must have April 2014 update rollup for Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 (2919355) installed on Windows 8.1. Or, install Service Pack 1 for Windows 7.
Registry information
To apply this update, you don't have to make any changes to the registry.
Restart requirement
You may have to restart the computer after you apply this update.
Update replacement information
This update doesn't replace a previously released update.
Removal information
You can't uninstall this update after you install it.
More Information
This update lets users remove the Windows Journal component immediately. Because it's a more secure alternative to Windows Journal, we recommend that users download, install, and use Microsoft OneNote. Other mitigations for customers who have dependencies on Windows Journal are provided in this article.
Install OneNote
Microsoft OneNote is available for free for all supported versions of Windows. To learn more, and to install your free version of OneNote, go to https://www.onenote.com/.
Install Windows Journal Application
For customers who have dependencies on Windows Journal, an installable version of the Windows Journal application is available. After you uninstall the Windows Journal component, you can install the Windows Journal application by following these steps:
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Go to Windows Journal Application Beta Refresh for Windows (KB3162655).
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Use the download links that are provided to download and install the latest Windows Journal application.
Note The Windows Journal application does not install unless you already removed the Windows Journal component from the computer by applying KB3161102.
The Windows Journal application is functionally identical to the original Windows Journal component, but differs in the following ways:
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The Windows Journal application contains a trusted notification message box that appears every time that a Windows Journal file is opened.
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This message box informs users of the security risks that are inherent to Windows Journal files, and asks users whether they want to open the file.
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Users must select Yes to open the Journal file.
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The Windows Journal Note Writer is deprecated.
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The Journal Note Writer is a printer driver that lets users create Journal files by printing documents from any application.
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For more information about the Windows Journal application, see Windows Journal Application Beta Refresh for Windows (KB3162655).
References
Learn about the terminology that Microsoft uses to describe software updates.
