Create notes in your own handwriting. You can leave your notes in ink and search your handwriting or convert your notes to typed text.
Publisher’s description
What is Windows Journal?
Windows Journal by Microsoft Corporation is free Windows software in the notes & to-do category.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides MSI installers for 64-bit and 32-bit Windows. The main installer is 4.7 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. It needs Windows 10 or newer. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches. An MSI package is available for deployment with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager.
Popularity and file types
On Windows it registers 2 file types, including .jnt and .jtp. Similar programs include Obsidian, Xournal++ and QOwnNotes.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Free to use
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
- Small download (4.7 MB)
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
- No update for more than a year
In short: Windows Journal is a free notes & to-do tool for 64-bit and 32-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Windows Journal safe to download?
- The file is served by download.microsoft.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
D682AF4678C60D630B75C8CA31B941462A5386E622C0EF04242927B34BA0B995· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 1 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.0.237.0Latest | September 14, 2016 | 4.7 MB | 64-bit MSI64-bit MSI32-bit MSI64-bit MSI |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Microsoft.WindowsJournal -emsiexec /i Journal_en-us_x64.msi /qn /norestartmsiexec /x {DDB2B280-7947-42CF-92F6-A96003588F69} /qn /norestartRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Microsoft Corporation
- Category
- Notes & to-do
- Licence
- Freeware
- Price
- Free
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10 (Windows 10+)
- Architecture
- 64-bit, 32-bit
- Installer
- MSI
- Version
- 10.0.237.0
- Released
- September 14, 2016
- Added to the catalogue
- March 17, 2022
- Versions listed
- 1
- Website
- support.microsoft.com
- winget ID
- Microsoft.WindowsJournal
- MSI product code
- {DDB2B280-7947-42CF-92F6-A96003588F69}
File types it opens (2)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Windows Journal free?
Yes. Windows Journal is free to use.
Is Windows Journal safe to download?
The download comes from download.microsoft.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Windows Journal with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Windows Journal be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Which Windows versions does Windows Journal support?
The installer requires Windows 10 or newer and is available for 64-bit and 32-bit.
Does Windows Journal run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit and 32-bit version through emulation.
What are alternatives to Windows Journal?
Obsidian, Xournal++, QOwnNotes, Logseq and Evernote. The alternatives page compares them.
