Frequently Asked Questions about OneNote in Office 2019 and Microsoft 365

What does this announcement mean for the version of OneNote I use on my Windows PC?

• Microsoft 365 subscriptions — Microsoft 365 subscriptions currently unlock local notebook support for OneNote. The OneNote desktop app is installed by default alongside Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for Microsoft 365 subscriptions that include the client apps and Office 2019. We will be adding additional premium value to OneNote for Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

• OneNote for Windows 10 — OneNote for Windows 10 is pre-installed on Windows 10 devices and is also available as a free download from the Microsoft Store. You can continue using OneNote for Windows 10 and we will continue supporting it.

• Office 2019 perpetual — Office 2019 purchases currently unlock local notebook support for OneNote. The OneNote desktop app is installed by default alongside Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for Microsoft 365 subscriptions that include the client apps and Office 2019.

Can I continue using OneNote?

Yes, you can continue using OneNote as we are aligning this product with our Office 2019 support dates. The OneNote desktop app is installed by default alongside Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for Microsoft 365 subscriptions that include the client apps and Office 2019. If you do not see OneNote as part of your installation, please see Install or reinstall OneNote for Windows.

Is OneNote for Windows 10 still available?

Yes, OneNote for Windows 10 is still available.

OneNote for Windows 10 is pre-installed on Windows 10 devices and is also available as a free download from the Microsoft Store.

Can I use both the OneNote desktop app and OneNote for Windows 10 on the same device?

Yes, provided you’re using Windows 10, both Windows versions of OneNote can be installed on the same PC or device, and they can be used side by side.

Which version of OneNote should I use?

• If you have Windows 10, you can use either the desktop version of OneNote or OneNote for Windows 10 — or both!

• If you’re using an older version of Windows, you can use the desktop version of OneNote.

I have Office installed, but OneNote isn’t there. How do I get it?

You can download OneNote here.

Which versions of OneNote will receive the latest updates?

We are actively developing OneNote on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and the web, and we regularly update all supported versions.

When will we see additional premium value in OneNote for Microsoft 365 subscriptions?

We are working hard to include features like advanced sharing and editing in OneNote for Microsoft 365 subscriptions in 2021.

When will you fix the Accessibility issues in the OneNote desktop app?

Accessibility is a top priority for Microsoft and an on-going effort for OneNote. While we work on Accessibility features for the OneNote desktop app, you can use OneNote for Windows 10 to cover any gaps that haven’t yet been filled.

What about [my favorite feature] in OneNote desktop app?

We’re continuously working on new features and improvements. If there’s a particular feature you care about that’s not currently in the app, we’d welcome you to tell us about it through the in-app feedback system. To get started, click File > Feedback.

What does this announcement mean for OneNote for Mac?

This change only applies to Windows, where we have both OneNote and OneNote for Windows 10. Other versions of OneNote — including OneNote for Mac, OneNote for iOS (iPhone and iPad), OneNote for Android, and OneNote for the web — are unchanged. These versions will continue to receive updates about once a month.

How long will you continue to support OneNote?

OneNote support dates will align with Office 2019 support dates (October 10, 2023 for mainstream support and October 14, 2025 for extended support).

I previously removed OneNote for Windows 10. How do I get it back?

OneNote for Windows 10 is pre-installed on Windows 10 devices. If you’ve uninstalled the app for any reason, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Store.

How do I access my local notebooks in OneNote for Windows 10?

In the latest versions of OneNote, your notebooks are stored in the cloud so you can access them from anywhere.

If you have any local notebooks, you can move them to OneDrive or SharePoint Online, so you can access your notes from anywhere. On-Premises SharePoint is also supported. To get started, simply open OneNote for Windows 10 and follow these instructions to move your notebooks to OneDrive. OneNote always keeps a copy of your notes cached on your device, so you can access them even if you’re offline.

Can I use OneNote if I’m not connected to the Internet?

Yes, all versions of OneNote keep a cached copy of your notebooks on your device, so you can access them even while you’re offline. The next time you connect to the Internet, all of the changes you made will sync to OneDrive so you’ll be able to see them on other devices.

Please note that while you can always view and edit your notes while you’re offline, some features which require Internet connectivity may not work, such as Optical Character Recognition, Researcher, and creating and deleting notebooks.

How can I develop add-ins for OneNote?

Anyone can build on top of OneNote using our Developer APIs, which are already used by hundreds of developers to create experiences that are integrated with OneNote.

What happens if I’m on an older version of Windows?

If you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber on an older version of Windows, you will get the desktop version of OneNote. This version will continue to be supported until October 10, 2023.

Will OneNote for Mac be uninstalled when I update to Office 2019?

No, OneNote for Mac will remain on your Mac when you update to Office 2019.

Which version of OneNote do I get if I’m installing Office 2019 for the first time?

The OneNote desktop app is installed by default alongside Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for Microsoft 365 subscriptions that include the client apps and Office 2019.

Today, if you’re on Windows, you can choose to use the OneNote desktop app, or you can use the OneNote for Windows 10 app that’s pre-installed with Windows 10.

If you’re on an older version of Windows, click here for more information.

If you’re on a Mac and you don’t already have OneNote for Mac installed as a free download from the Mac App Store, Office 2019 will install OneNote for Mac for you.

What additional benefits do I get if I use OneNote with an Microsoft 365 subscription or as part of Office 2019?

Windows

macOS

I’m a Microsoft 365 subscriber. What happens to my OneNote desktop app?

For Windows, if you already have OneNote, you can continue to use OneNote just as you always have, and you can expect to see new feature updates.

Which version of OneNote do I get if I’m subscribing to Microsoft 365 for the first time?

The OneNote desktop app is installed by default alongside Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for Microsoft 365 subscriptions that include the client apps and Office 2019.

Today, if you’re on Windows, you already have OneNote for Windows 10 because it is pre-installed, but you can choose to use whichever version you prefer.

If you’re on an older version of Windows, click here for more information.

If you’re on a Mac and you don’t already have OneNote for Mac installed as a free download from the Mac App Store, then Microsoft 365 will install OneNote for Mac for you.

How do I deploy OneNote?

IT administrators, using their preferred deployment tools, will continue to have the ability to include or exclude OneNote from their Office deployments.

The OneNote desktop app is installed by default alongside Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for Microsoft 365 subscriptions that include the client apps and Office 2019.

For more information, see the Deployment Guide for OneNote

What if my organization has already started migrating to OneNote for Windows 10?

You can continue to migrate to OneNote for Windows 10 if that’s what is best for your end users.

If you’re an IT Administrator responsible for deploying OneNote across users in your organization, please see the Deployment Guide for OneNote for more information.

How does OneNote for Windows 10 affect the tools I use in the classroom, like Class Notebook?

Many of the Class Notebook features you know and love are already built into OneNote for Windows 10.

Class Notebook, Stickers, Forms, and many other features that you rely on in the classroom are now deeply integrated into OneNote for Windows 10. The Class Notebook experience on Windows 10 is now identical to OneNote for the web, and more improvements are coming all the time.

How do I install Class Notebook in OneNote for Windows 10?

OneNote for Windows 10 has all the Class Notebook features built in.

Teachers will automatically see the Class Notebook tab on the ribbon, but you can manually enable it at any time by clicking the Settings and More button in the upper right corner, and then clicking Settings > Options > Class Notebook Tools.

Do you have training or professional development available for OneNote and OneNote for Windows 10?

Yes, we have training and professional development for both OneNote for Windows 2016 and OneNote.

To get started, please visit the Microsoft Educator Community for self-paced courses, or the Education Help Center for tips and directions.

General training courses for OneNote for Windows 10 are available on the Office Training Center.