How to Open a Quick Note Using OneNote Command-Line Switches
Question details
The user is looking for a specific command-line switch for OneNote (OneNoteM.exe) to instantly launch a new Quick Note, ideally to be triggered by a Surface Pen or a custom shortcut.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Creating a custom shortcut or configuring a Surface Pen click to immediately open a Quick Note interface without launching the full OneNote application window.
- Observed behavior
- Available command-line switches for OneNote appear limited, and standard commands may open notes in existing virtual desktops rather than at the user's current location on the screen.
Ensure that your Microsoft OneNote application is fully updated and running properly on your Windows device, as command-line switches require the core executable to be intact.
Use the /sidenote Command-Line Switch
Create a custom shortcut using the /sidenote switch to force OneNote to launch directly into the Quick Note interface.
Although official documentation for OneNote startup switches is no longer actively maintained by Microsoft, the /sidenote switch remains one of the most reliable methods for triggering a Quick Note from a command line or shortcut.
Find the path to your OneNote executable file (usually named onenote.exe). This is typically located in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\ or a similar directory depending on your installation version.
Right-click on your Windows desktop, select 'New', and then choose 'Shortcut'.
In the location field, enter the path to the executable wrapped in quotes, followed by a space and the switch. For example: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\ONENOTE.EXE" /sidenote
If you are using a Surface Pen, go to Windows Settings > Devices > Pen & Windows Ink, and assign your pen's shortcut button to launch the classic app shortcut you just created.
Utilize the Default Windows + N Shortcut
If command-line switches do not behave as desired across multiple virtual desktops, use the built-in native Windows shortcut.
Access Quick Notes via the Notification Area
Manually trigger the Quick Note using the OneNote icon that runs in your Windows system tray.
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- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for Windows.
- 2. Install the software: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the /sidenote switch open the Quick Note in a different virtual desktop?
This is a known Windows environment behavior. If the main OneNote application process is already running on a different virtual desktop, Windows often attempts to group new windows spawned by that executable into the original virtual desktop.
Are there other useful OneNote command-line switches available?
Yes, while Microsoft has removed the official documentation, users have found switches like /print (to print a document to OneNote) and /safeboot (to troubleshoot OneNote startup issues) to be functional in various versions.
Can I map the Windows + N shortcut directly to my Surface Pen?
Yes. Through the Windows 'Pen & Windows Ink' settings, you can customize the behavior of the Surface Pen's tail button. Instead of launching a classic app, you can use third-party tools like AutoHotkey to map the pen click to the 'Windows + N' keystroke.
