Notepad (or Notepad) is Microsoft’s plain text editor. It follows successive editions of Windows since version 1.0 of the operating system, launched in 1985. Although simple, the application hides interesting functions, such as the possibility of creating scripts with commands for the operating system, a method to test your antivirus and even a feature that allows the creation of a diary with an automatic date and time. Below are seven little-known features of Notepad.
Ten things everyone used in Windows 95
Notepad remains the same after several versions of Windows (photo: Playback / The Verge)
1. Insert header and footer in your documents
Notepad is far from being a complete text editor, like Word, but it is still possible to insert some advanced formatting elements in the documents generated by the editor.
Set automatic headers and footers for Notepad documents – Photo: Reproduction / Filipe Garrett
To place headers and footers you need to configure them within the «Page Setup» menu, available under «File». To change the parameters, you need to know the codes: click on “Input Values” to know all of them.
Codes create automatic headers and footers – Photo: Disclosure / Microsoft
With a simple code and a document created in Notepad, it is possible to create a test file to check the performance of your antivirus. To do this, paste:
X5O! P% @ AP[4PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*[4PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*
Antivirus detects the file as an Eicar test – Photo: Reproduction / Filipe Garrett
This code generates a test called Eicar, created to check the integrity of virus detection on the computer. Save the file normally with the extension .txt and run the antivirus scan. If the file is not identified as a potential threat, your antivirus is not working properly.
3. Make your computer talk
Script allows you to write for the computer to read – Photo: Reproduction / Filipe Garrett
Notepad can be used to create scripts, which are nothing more than files written with programming code and which provide the system with a set of commands to be executed. An example is creating a script to make your computer speak. To do this, copy and paste:
Dim message, sapimessage = InputBox («Read to me») Set sapi = CreateObject («sapi.spvoice») sapi.Speak message
Save the file with the name you want, as long as using the .vbs extension. Then run the file and test the game.
4. Use Notepad as a journal
You can use a text application feature to automatically insert timestamps into your documents. That way, you can use Notepad to create an accurate diary in which each entry is accompanied by date and time information.
Annotation «.LOG» at the top of the document inserts a date and time every time the file is reopened – Photo: Reproduction / Filipe Garrett
To use the feature, create any file starting with “.LOG”, without the quotes. From then on, every time you open the file, Notepad will insert the date and time information.
You can change the font to leave the Notepad with your face – Photo: Reproduction / Filipe Garrett
You can also change the font used by Notepad. To do this, access the «Format» in the top menu and choose «Font».
6. Program the Matrix effect on your computer
Matrix effect takes the screen with numbers automatically generated by the computer – Photo: Reproduction / Filipe Garrett
With the following script, you can reproduce the matrix effect associated with the sci-fi trilogy. To do this, paste the text below, save it as .vbs and execute:
@echo offcolor 02: tricksecho% random %% random %% random %% random %% random %% random %% random %% random% goto tricks
7. Create a fake virus message
You can create a virus alert from Notepad – Photo: Playback / Filipe Garrett
With the code below, you can give your friends a more elaborate scare. To personalize, just exchange messages after the “echo” sign.
@echo offecho WARNING! echo A MALWARE WAS DETECTED ON YOUR PC.pause
Save the file with the name you want, but remember to use the .bat extension. Just run to see the «virus» in action. Using creativity, you can even make the message even more neat or scary.
