Fix Unnecessary Horizontal Scroll Bar in OneNote for Windows 10
Question details
The user wants to remove an unnecessary horizontal scroll bar that persists at the bottom of the page in OneNote for Windows 10.
- Product
- OneNote for Windows 10
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Viewing or editing notes where the page content fully fits within the current window width.
- Observed behavior
- A horizontal scroll bar is displayed unnecessarily at the bottom of the window, even when there is no content extending beyond the visible screen.
Check your Windows Start menu to confirm whether you are using 'OneNote for Windows 10' or the standard 'OneNote' app, as the solution requires transitioning to the newer software.
Switch to the Microsoft 365 OneNote App
Because OneNote for Windows 10 is no longer actively developed, Microsoft recommends upgrading to the unified OneNote app to resolve this bug.
Development for OneNote for Windows 10 has officially ended, meaning minor UI bugs like the horizontal scroll bar will not receive patches. The recommended long-term solution is to migrate to the newer OneNote application included with Microsoft 365, which does not have this display issue.
Visit the Microsoft Store or your Microsoft 365 portal and download the app simply named 'OneNote' (without 'for Windows 10' in the title).
Launch the new OneNote app and sign in with the same Microsoft account you used previously to automatically sync your existing notes.
Open a notebook page that fits the window to confirm the horizontal scroll bar no longer appears at the bottom.
Submit Feedback to Microsoft
If you prefer the interface of OneNote for Windows 10 and wish to remain on it, you can log the scroll bar issue directly with Microsoft's development team.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneNote for Windows 10 show a horizontal scroll bar when it's not needed?
This is a known graphical bug in the OneNote for Windows 10 application. Because the app has reached the end of its active development cycle, minor interface rendering issues like this persist unpatched.
Will Microsoft release a fix for the OneNote for Windows 10 scroll bar?
It is highly unlikely. Microsoft is focusing its development efforts on the unified OneNote app for Microsoft 365 and plans to end support for OneNote for Windows 10 in 2025.
How do I know which version of OneNote I am currently using?
Open your Windows Start menu and search for 'OneNote'. If the application name explicitly says 'OneNote for Windows 10', you are using the older version. The newer, actively supported app is simply named 'OneNote'.
