Microsoft Edit review
An open-source terminal editor for straightforward text changes across desktop platforms.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Microsoft Edit is an open-source text editor for people who want to make straightforward changes in a terminal without relying on unfamiliar command-line editing conventions. Its keyboard controls are similar to VS Code, and its description frames the interface as accessible, including to people new to terminal-based editing. The project is inspired by the classic MS-DOS Editor and is distributed under the MIT License. It is aimed at solo users and small teams needing a basic editor rather than an extensive development environment.
Platform coverage spans Windows, macOS and Linux, with downloadable release binaries. The project describes install options for Windows and macOS, plus an install script or source-build path for Linux; building from source uses Rust. That gives users a few ways to obtain the editor, though the precise path differs by platform. Its terminal focus is the defining fit: choose it when editing text from a terminal and familiar keyboard controls matter more than a broad application ecosystem.
The feature set includes search and replace, subject to ICU availability. Extension support is not part of the listed capabilities, so users who need to customize an editor with extensions or depend on advanced editing workflows should consider another tool. Microsoft Edit makes more sense for small, focused edits and for users who want a lightweight terminal option; it is less suited to people seeking an extensible editor or a feature-rich coding workspace. The published information describes the software as open source, rather than presenting a paid plan structure.
Microsoft Edit pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Terminal-based editing with keyboard controls similar to VS Code
- Search and replace when ICU is available
- Open source under the MIT License, with binaries and a source-build path
- Where it doesn't
- No extension support
- Search and replace depends on ICU availability
- The listed feature set focuses on basic terminal editing
Microsoft Edit fact sheet, pricing and score →
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