Microsoft has quietly revived one of its most nostalgic tools and given it a surprisingly modern twist. The once-forgotten MS-DOS Editor, originally bundled with DOS 5.0 in 1991, is now reborn as a sleek little command line editor simply called Edit. It is open source, cross platform, and tiny enough to fit in the corner of a floppy disk at just 250 kilobytes.

Even more surprisingly, it is built in Rust and runs not only on Windows but also on macOS and Linux.

Rather than serving as a nostalgic nod to early computing, Edit fills a practical void in Microsoft’s current software ecosystem. For years, 64-bit versions of Windows lacked a built-in command line text editor, a gap that Edit now addresses directly.

With a clean interface, fast performance, and zero dependency on obscure keyboard commands, Edit offers a straightforward solution for users working in terminal environments. Its seamless integration with Windows Terminal and availability on GitHub positions it as a relevant addition to modern development workflows.

Why It Matters: Edit demonstrates that simplicity and speed still hold value in today’s development environments. By reintroducing a familiar tool with modern functionality and open source accessibility, Microsoft reinforces its ongoing shift toward developer inclusivity and multiplatform support.

• Cross Platform Compatibility: Edit functions smoothly across Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering a consistent command line text editing experience regardless of the underlying operating system. This level of interoperability is rare for Microsoft-developed tools, particularly those with a legacy rooted in the DOS era. By extending support beyond its own platform, Microsoft demonstrates a continued commitment to embracing open ecosystems and supporting developers in hybrid environments.

• Lightweight and Technically Capable: With a binary size of around 250 kilobytes, Edit reflects a design philosophy focused on speed and efficiency without sacrificing essential functionality. Despite its small footprint, the tool supports Unicode characters, regular expressions, and files that span several gigabytes. It starts quickly and operates with minimal system resources, making it ideal for environments where performance and simplicity are paramount.

• Accessible and Easy to Use: Edit offers a user experience that requires no steep learning curve or memorization of obscure key combinations. Unlike modal editors such as Vim, which can intimidate newcomers with complex navigation modes, Edit behaves more like a traditional text editor, featuring intuitive controls that align with familiar editing conventions. This ease of use broadens its appeal, making it useful not just for seasoned developers but also for users performing basic edits from the terminal.

• Modern Engineering with Rust and Open Source Principles: The editor is built in Rust, a systems programming language known for its memory safety and performance advantages. This choice ensures that Edit is both secure and fast, benefiting from Rust’s compile-time checks and modern development practices. Microsoft has also released the tool under an open source license, making its source code available on GitHub for anyone to examine, improve, or integrate.

• Solves a Longstanding Tooling Gap in Windows: For years, 64-bit versions of Windows lacked a built-in command line text editor, a notable omission that left users reliant on external tools or awkward workarounds. Edit directly addresses this gap by providing an official, lightweight solution that installs cleanly and works seamlessly with Windows Terminal. It revives the spirit of the original MS-DOS Editor but reimagined for the needs of modern development environments.

Go Deeper -> Microsoft surprises MS-DOS fans with remake of ancient text editor that works on Linux – Ars Technica

Microsoft Unveils Edit: New Cross-Platform Text Editor – WebProNews