Free Text

In the default set of features, Windows includes basic tools which cover a vast array of possible computer operations, with text editing being one of them. In case you’re not too fond of the default tools like Notepad, then alternatives like Free Text come with similar sets of tools, to suit text editing needs.

The application comes in a pretty lightweight package, and can run right after download, with no installation required to make it work. This allows you to carry it along with text documents on a USB flash drive to have a text editor regardless of the computer you’re using. What’s more, this is done without having an impact on stability, because registry entries are not modified.

You can start writing right away, with most of the window space representing the edit area. On the other hand, you can open an existing file, which needs to be under the RTF format, because it’s the only supported one. The same goes for exporting files. Sadly, tabs are not in the set of features, but you can open multiple instances at a time.

As far as editing is concerned, text benefits from general customization options, such as color from a large palette,or font style, type, size, and attributes. These options are easily accessible from the upper toolbar. Other edit options refer to the basics, such as copy, cut, paste, undo, redo, and select.

On the downside, the edit area is stripped of any helpful info tips, or fields. Page delimitation is not included, but most of all the application lacks a word counter, or at least a character counter. There’s no option to print to file, with the only export option being to file, under the RTF format.

To sum it up, Free Text is a lightweight alternative to the default text editors Windows provides. Sadly, it’s a little underprepared to deliver the practicality it aims to. The edit area lacks useful notifiers and counters. Search is not included, and the only file to process is RTF.