Why is MS updating all their apps when they have been working great?

Beise, Rachel (DOT) 0 Reputation points
2026-09-17T21:30:19.51+00:00

Obviously, I am frustrated and annoyed that there was no warning about updates that changed the GUI for OneNote and Sticky Notes with no means to change OneNote back to the check boxes (the stupid purple circles don't mean anything and they are distracting - defeats the reason for using OneNote for productivity and working more efficiently. Now, sticky notes was changed without warning and no way to recover my previous sticky notes so I have to re-create those that I remember. Again, defeats the productivity and distraction free because more work to re-create sticky notes and fix OneNote .

I hope MS will be doing another update of OneNote and Sticky Notes ASAP to correct these problems that they created and no one asked for these updates that made our work harder, less efficient, and less productive. Maybe we need to find another system outside of horrid Apple and MS competing for being the worst.

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneNote | Other | Android
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  1. Thomas4-N 22,050 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-19T12:30:11.25+00:00

    Hello Beise, Rachel (DOT),

    I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with these changes, especially when the previous versions were already working well for you.

    For the OneNote checkboxes, the change from the traditional square checkbox to the newer circular appearance has also been reported by other users. I could not find a setting that simply restores all of the old square checkboxes, unfortunately.

    For the Sticky Notes, though, please don’t recreate everything yet. If your previous notes were synced with your Microsoft account, they may still be available even though they are no longer appearing where you previously accessed them. Microsoft documents that synced Sticky Notes can also be accessed through other OneNote and Outlook web experiences when using the same account.

    I would first check that you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account you previously used for Sticky Notes and see whether your old notes appear there.

    Thanks for your understanding.

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  2. Bulldog 4,730 Reputation points
    2026-09-17T23:36:27.4766667+00:00

    With technology, the only thing you can count on is change. Anyone who can't handle constant change will be unhappy with technology.

    Microsoft has more than a billion customers from many different cultures all over the world. Won't be able to satisfy everybody.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-09-17T21:30:37.7966667+00:00

    Microsoft updates OneNote and other Microsoft 365 apps regularly to deliver new features, performance improvements, bug fixes, compatibility updates, and security updates. In OneNote for Windows 10, feature changes can also arrive gradually, so some interface changes may appear without reaching every device at the same time.

    For OneNote specifically:

    • OneNote for Windows 10 is updated through the Microsoft Store.
    • OneNote desktop is updated through File > Account > Office Updates > Update Options > Update Now.
    • If updates are managed by a work or school organization, an administrator may control which updates are installed and when.
    • OneNote for Windows 10 is set to reach end-of-support in October 2025, and Microsoft recommends using OneNote from Microsoft 365 on Windows.

    If the concern is the changed OneNote experience, the supported actions in the available guidance are:

    1. Make sure OneNote is fully updated so the latest fixes and changes are installed.
      • For OneNote for Windows 10: open Microsoft Store > Downloads or Downloads and updates > Get updates.
      • For OneNote desktop: open File > Account > Office Updates > Update Options > Update Now.
    2. Submit feedback directly to the OneNote product team. In OneNote, select Settings and More > Settings > Feedback, then complete the prompts in Feedback Hub.
    3. If using OneNote for Windows 10, consider moving to the current OneNote app, since Microsoft recommends that version and OneNote for Windows 10 reaches end-of-support in October 2025.

    The available material does not provide a supported way to restore the older checkbox appearance in OneNote or recover previous Sticky Notes content.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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