Microsoft's New Command-Line Text Editor 'Edit' Now Available on Windows 11

Microsoft has introduced a lightweight, open-source command-line text editor called Edit, which is now available on Windows 11 as part of the September 2025 optional update or newer. The editor pays homage to the classic MS-DOS Editor and features a modern interface with input controls similar to VS Code.

Edit was created to fill a gap in Microsoft's own ecosystem, as 64-bit versions of Windows were previously shipped without a default CLI text editor after the retirement of the 16-bit MS-DOS Editor. This meant that users had to leave the terminal to edit config files.

The key feature of Edit is its modeless design, which means there are no modes to learn - users can simply open it and start typing. The mouse also works, making it an unusual but welcome feature in a terminal editor.