As much as I am a dedicated fan of Microsoft products, I feel this is a really confusing area for many. Microsoft now has many different versions of OneNote available and being able to tell which one is which is confusing. Let me now make it easy for you to identify which version of OneNote you are running on your computer.

The two desktop versions available are:

• OneNote 2016
• OneNote for Windows 10 (simply referred to as OneNote)

OneNote for Windows 10 is available for free via the Microsoft Store. If you have an Office 365 subscription, you will also have OneNote Online.

If you have lost access to OneNote 2016 after installing Office 365 or Office 2019, reinstall via this Microsoft article.

Check version via the Start menu

The first option is to check which version you have via the Start menu. The Start menu should display all programs which are installed on your computer.

1. Click the Start menu
2. Scroll through the list of programs till you locate OneNote

3. If you have a listing for “OneNote” then you have the OneNote for Windows 10 version
4. If you have a listing for “OneNote 2016” then you have the OneNote 2016 version
5. If you have both then you have the best of both worlds

Check version within the program

Both versions of the program look different so it is easy to see visually which you have.

Microsoft OneNote 2016

OneNote 2016 is the original desktop version of OneNote. It runs on Windows 10 and older operating systems, and can be used independently or as part of Microsoft Office 365 or Office 2019. You can download OneNote 2016 for free.

Microsoft OneNote 2016 has a ribbon across the top of the window which looks very familiar to all Microsoft Office apps. The section tabs also appear across the top of the pages area.

Microsoft OneNote for Windows 10

OneNote for Windows 10 comes preinstalled with any Windows 10 computer or can be downloaded via the Microsoft Store.

OneNote for Windows 10 has a sleeker appearance and does not have the familiar ribbon at the top. The section tabs appear down the left-hand pane with pages displayed parallel to them.

Pin the application

Whichever version of OneNote you have and decide to use, make sure you have quick access to it. Pin it to the taskbar so that you no longer need to find it in the Start menu.

1. Click the Start menu and locate the OneNote version you plan to use
2. Right mouse click on OneNote and select More > Pin to taskbar

3. The program will now appear on your taskbar even when you have the program closed

Stay tuned for more OneNote content coming in 2020.