ShixxNOTE Sticky Notes & LAN Messenger for Windows

Keep reminders on your screen and message your team over the local network

Instant Messenger Local Area Network

ShixxNOTE sticky notes with different themes on a Windows 11 desktop ShixxNOTE note menu open on "Send note to" with saved recipient groups ShixxNOTE "Send note to other" dialog with computers found on the local network ShixxNOTE note theme menu with the supplied note themes ShixxNOTE "Set alarm" dialog with weekly repeat and notification sound ShixxNOTE "Note expiration" dialog set to expire the note after one month ShixxNOTE "Export note(s)" dialog with the notes selected for export ShixxNOTE default note settings with note colors, fonts and note size ShixxNOTE network settings with the communication port used on the LAN ShixxNOTE e-mail account dialog for sending notes over SMTP and IMAP

Q&A - Questions and Answers

General Information

What is ShixxNOTE and what is it used for?

ShixxNOTE is a Windows desktop application that combines sticky notes with direct LAN messaging. It lets users create personal reminders on the desktop and send notes instantly to other computers on the same local network, with no internet, no cloud, and no external server required. It is lightweight, runs in the system tray, and is designed for fast, distraction-free communication.

Who is ShixxNOTE designed for and in which environments can it be used?

ShixxNOTE is designed for individuals, teams, and organizations that need fast internal communication without complex infrastructure. It is commonly used in offices, warehouses, schools, clinics, and government facilities, anywhere reliable LAN-based messaging is needed. No dedicated server or IT setup is required. Any Windows computer on the same network is sufficient.

ShixxNOTE vs standard Windows Sticky Notes 📷

Windows Sticky Notes is a personal notepad for one computer. ShixxNOTE does that too, and then keeps going where the built-in app stops.

Sending notes to other people. This is the difference that matters most. Windows Sticky Notes has no way at all to send a note to a colleague. ShixxNOTE delivers a note straight to another desktop over your local network, to several computers at once, or to a saved group, and it can also send the same note by e-mail. It works as a full office LAN messenger →.

Appearance. Windows Sticky Notes offers seven fixed colors and one font. ShixxNOTE comes with sixteen note themes, lets you change the font, size, color, alignment and paragraph settings of any part of the text, and lets you save your own themes and reuse them.

Reminders. The built-in app has no alarm. ShixxNOTE can raise an alarm on a given date and time, repeat it daily, weekly or monthly, and make a note expire by itself after a day, a week, a month or on a date you pick.

Where your notes live. Windows Sticky Notes syncs through a Microsoft account. ShixxNOTE stores everything locally on your own computer, with no account, no cloud and no sign-in, which is what makes it usable on closed and air-gapped networks. See secure notes software →.

Everyday handling. ShixxNOTE adds export and import of notes to a file, printing, saving a note as a picture, a hot key for a new note, and the option to lock "Show all notes" with a password. It also runs on Windows XP through Windows 11, while the built-in app requires Windows 10 or newer.

ShixxNOTE note theme menu with sixteen supplied themes

Is ShixxNOTE free or commercial software?

ShixxNOTE is available as a commercial product with a simple licensing model suitable for personal and professional use. The program is also offered as a fully functional 30-day trial version, allowing users to work without any limitations during the evaluation period. After 30 days, a one-time registration fee of 24.99 USD is required to continue using the software.

Difference Between ShixxNOTE 6.net and 7.net version 📝

  1. Network Discovery Engine
    The key difference between ShixxNOTE 6.net and ShixxNOTE 7.net is the way each version discovers computers on the local network.

    ShixxNOTE 6.net
    This version uses an old Windows network‑browsing function (NetBIOS/Network Neighborhood) to automatically search the local LAN for all Windows computers. Microsoft has removed and deprecated this functionality in modern systems, which means:

    • it does not work reliably on fully updated Windows 10 or Windows 11 machines
    • the old network discovery method is effectively obsolete

    Because of this, ShixxNOTE 6.net cannot automatically detect computers on today’s Windows platforms.

    ShixxNOTE 7.net
    This version includes a completely new, modern network‑scanning engine developed specifically to replace the old Windows function. The new system:

    • runs in the background without slowing down the PC
    • scans the entire local network using modern Windows networking protocols
    • correctly identifies all devices on the LAN
    • automatically filters out non‑computer devices (phones, printers, routers, TVs, etc.)
    • works reliably on Windows 10 and Windows 11

    This new discovery engine is the biggest improvement in ShixxNOTE 7.net and ensures full compatibility with current and future Windows versions.

  2. Bug fixes and stability improvements. Several issues from 6.net (startup behavior, note layering, reminder reliability) have been fixed.
  3. Future‑proof development. Version 6.net is no longer updated, while 7.net receives ongoing maintenance and compatibility updates.
  4. Refreshed user interface. Notes, menus, and dialogs have been visually updated for a cleaner and more modern look.
  5. Improved LAN communication. Sending notes to other computers on the network is faster, more stable, and uses updated Windows networking protocols.
  6. Full Windows 10 & Windows 11 compatibility. Version 7.net is optimized for modern Windows platforms, including updated networking, notifications, and system integration.

ShixxNOTE 6.net version on Microsoft Store vs ShixxNOTE 7.net 📝

The Microsoft Store version is still ShixxNOTE 6.net, which relies on an old Windows network‑browsing method that no longer works on fully updated Windows 10 or on Windows 11. Because Microsoft removed this legacy feature, the Store version cannot scan the local network or detect computers.

The official program website www.shixxnote.com → provides the latest ShixxNOTE 7.net, which includes a new background LAN‑scanning engine fully compatible with modern Windows systems and capable of filtering out non‑computer devices. Some third‑party download sites, such as Softpedia ↗, have already updated their PAD file and now offer the 7.net version, but the official website remains the primary and guaranteed source

LAN & Messaging

How does ShixxNOTE work on a local network (LAN)? 📷

ShixxNOTE uses the local network to send notes directly between computers without relying on external servers. If your computers can see each other on the network, ShixxNOTE can deliver messages between them instantly.

ShixxNOTE Send note to → Other note item menu

How to send notes over LAN with ShixxNOTE? 📷

Right-click the note, then select "Send note to" → "Other". Choose the target computer or group, enter your message, and click "Send".

ShixxNOTE Send note to other dialog with the network neighborhood list

The Send Note To dialog. On the left is the Network Neighborhood list with all detected computers on the LAN. Select one or more computers, move them to the Recipients list on the right, and click Send note.

Can ShixxNOTE send notes to multiple computers at once? 📷

Yes. ShixxNOTE allows sending a single note to multiple computers simultaneously.

ShixxNOTE sending one note to a saved group of computers and an e-mail address

Is ShixxNOTE faster than email for internal communication?

Yes. For short messages and quick announcements within the same network, ShixxNOTE is significantly faster than email. It works peer-to-peer: notes are sent directly from one computer to another without routing through any server or mail client. As long as the target computer is online and reachable on the LAN, the note arrives instantly, making it a practical replacement for internal email in most everyday scenarios.

Does ShixxNOTE automatically detect computers on the network? 📷

Yes. ShixxNOTE automatically scans the local network to discover available computers for LAN messaging. The scan is limited to the local network only and is used exclusively to identify active peers for direct communication.

ShixxNOTE reading the network neighborhood on program start

Is there a limit on how long a note can be when sent over the network?

Yes. A note travels to another computer through a channel that carries a little over ten thousand characters. A longer note than that cannot be sent over the network.

Since Build 207 the program simply turns such a note down and tells you its length and the limit, so you know how much to shorten it by. The note itself is left untouched. Sending the same note by e-mail has no such limit, which is usually the easier way out.

Internet & Data Handling

Does ShixxNOTE require an internet connection or cloud services?

No. ShixxNOTE works entirely within your local network (LAN) and does not require an internet connection, cloud services, or external messaging servers. All communication happens directly between computers on the same network, making it suitable for offline environments, secure facilities, and locations with limited or no internet connectivity.

Is any user data or message content sent outside the local network?

No. ShixxNOTE does not transmit data to external servers or third-party services. All notes and messages are delivered directly between computers within the same local network. Nothing is stored remotely, logged externally, or shared outside your network environment.

How do I send and receive notes by email without Outlook? 📷

Besides direct LAN delivery, ShixxNOTE 7.net can optionally send and receive notes by email. This is an optional feature that uses your own email account and mail servers, so a note travels over the internet only when you choose to send it this way. The default LAN messaging still works entirely offline.

Earlier versions relied on classic desktop Outlook. The new Email Account dialog can connect directly over SMTP/IMAP, which works with Gmail and the new Outlook without any desktop mail client installed.

ShixxNOTE e-mail account dialog for sending notes over SMTP and IMAP

How to configure it:

  1. Open the main tray menu, choose Settings, then the Network settings tab.
  2. Click "Email account..." to open the ShixxNOTE Email Account dialog.
  3. Under Email transport, select "Direct SMTP/IMAP - Gmail or new Outlook".
  4. Enter your Email account address and an App password. For Gmail you need an app password (16 letters) with 2-Step Verification enabled (Google App passwords ↗).
  5. Set the mail servers. For Gmail use SMTP: smtp.gmail.com / port 465 and IMAP: imap.gmail.com / port 993.
  6. Click Apply. To receive notes automatically, enable "Check for new email notes on program start" in Network settings.

The Email Account dialog with Direct SMTP/IMAP selected. Incoming email notes are read only from the date of the last check onwards, so older messages already in your mailbox are never imported twice.

Usage & Productivity

Does ShixxNOTE run in the system tray? 📷

Yes. ShixxNOTE runs quietly in the Windows system tray. A double-click on the tray icon creates a new note straight away, and a right-click opens the main program menu.

The icon itself was redrawn in Build 207. It now carries six separate pictures, from 16 up to 128 pixels, each drawn for its own size, so it stays sharp in the tray and in window title bars instead of being stretched from a single 32 pixel image.

ShixxNOTE icon in the Windows 11 system tray

Does ShixxNOTE support reminders and alerts? 📷

Yes. ShixxNOTE includes built-in reminder and alert functionality, allowing you to create alarms and scheduled notifications directly from your notes. You can set a specific date and time for the reminder, helping you stay organized and never miss important tasks, meetings, or messages.

To create an alarm, right-click the note and configure the reminder settings. The image below shows how to set an alarm on a note in ShixxNOTE.

ShixxNOTE set alarm dialog with weekly repeat and notification sound

Can ShixxNOTE be used in educational or training environments?

Yes. ShixxNOTE is well suited for classrooms, training centers, and computer labs. Instructors can send notes or announcements directly to student computers over the local network, without any internet access required. Because all communication stays within the school's internal network, it is a practical and safe tool for educational institutions.

Does ShixxNOTE interrupt the user while working? 📷

ShixxNOTE does not interrupt normal work, but incoming notes are intentionally shown on top of all open windows so the user immediately sees the message. When a note arrives, a notification sound is also played, and this sound can be turned off in the Settings menu if silent notifications are preferred.

ShixxNOTE received note appearing on recipient desktop

Can a note be lost when the program is restarted?

No. Older builds had a fault where the program trusted a stored count of how many notes it had instead of reading the notes actually saved in the file. After a note was deleted from the middle of the list, one real note could be quietly dropped on the next start, and the same thing repeated on every following start.

This was fixed in Build 207. The program now reads the notes it really has, closes the gap in the file itself, and removes an entry only after the note has been safely written to its new place. Any note that a wrong count had been hiding comes back the first time Build 207 is started.

How many note themes does ShixxNOTE have? 📷

Sixteen supplied themes, reachable from the note's own Theme menu. Build 207 added Purple, Red, Candy and Green Mint to the twelve that were there before.

A theme changes the note background, the title bar colors and the border, and leaves text you have already written untouched. You can also save your own themes, set one as the default, and have a random theme picked for every new note.

ShixxNOTE note theme menu with sixteen supplied themes

Security & Network Environments

Is ShixxNOTE safe to use on corporate, isolated, or closed networks? 📷

Yes. ShixxNOTE is designed for secure, controlled network environments. All messages are delivered directly between computers within the local network, with no external servers, cloud services, or internet access involved. This makes it well suited for corporate offices, government facilities, schools, clinics, and other environments where data must remain on-premises and fully under your control. Learn more about our secure notes system →.

ShixxNOTE secure notes - your notes stay on your computer, protected

Does ShixxNOTE require special firewall configuration? 📝

In most cases, no manual firewall configuration is required. On Windows 10 and Windows 11, the system firewall may prompt the user to allow ShixxNOTE to communicate over the local network using its default communication port 2000. The user must confirm this by clicking "Allow" for proper operation.

How to Open Port 2000 in Windows Defender Firewall? 📷

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security by searching for it in the Start menu.
  2. In the left pane, click on Inbound Rules.
  3. In the right pane (Actions), click on New Rule...
  4. Select Port and click Next.
  5. Choose TCP and enter 2000 in the Specific local ports field, then click Next.
  6. Select Allow the connection and click Next.
  7. Check the profiles where you want the rule to apply (Domain, Private, Public) and click Next.
  8. Name the rule (e.g., "ShixxNOTE Port 2000") and click Finish.

ShixxNOTE Network Settings dialog showing default communication port 2000

ShixxNOTE Network Settings dialog. The default communication port 2000 can be changed to any available port number if needed.

Technical & Compatibility

How many system resources does ShixxNOTE use?

ShixxNOTE is lightweight and optimized for low system resource usage. It is written in Microsoft Visual C++, with a focus on performance and efficiency. The program is a single executable file of about 4.5 MB with no runtime to install alongside it, so it starts quickly and its memory and CPU impact stays minimal. Since Build 207 everything is inside that one file: the separate ResolveIP.exe helper and the FreeImage.dll library are gone, and the program no longer needs the .NET Framework on the computer.

Is ShixxNOTE easy to install and configure?

Yes. Installation is straightforward and requires minimal configuration.

Can I install ShixxNOTE on multiple computers?

Yes, and that is the normal way to use it. ShixxNOTE is meant to be installed on every computer in your local network, because a note can only be delivered to a desktop that is running ShixxNOTE as well. One computer on its own gives you sticky notes; a whole office running it gives you an office LAN messenger →.

One registration key → covers all of them. There is no per-seat counting and no per-computer licence: a single key is valid on every Windows PC in your home or office network, so you install the same setup file everywhere and enter the same key.

Can ShixxNOTE be used on older versions of Windows? 📷

Yes. ShixxNOTE 7.net runs on all Microsoft Windows versions from Windows XP to the latest Windows 11, making it compatible with virtually any Windows computer in use today.

Windows XP
2001
Windows Vista
2007
Windows 7
2009
Windows 8
2012
Windows 10
2015
Windows 11
2021

Does ShixxNOTE start automatically with Windows? 📷

Yes. ShixxNOTE starts automatically with Windows by default, so it is always ready when you log in. This behavior can be disabled at any time in the settings if you prefer manual startup. By default, ShixxNOTE also scans the local network (LAN) to detect available computers, and this feature can be turned off as well.

ShixxNOTE reading the network neighborhood on program start

Can ShixxNOTE run on low-end or older hardware?

Yes. ShixxNOTE is optimized to run smoothly even on older or low-spec systems. It is written in native C++ with no runtime framework behind it, which is what keeps it usable on hardware that struggles with modern software.

It still runs on Windows XP, as well as on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11, in both 32-bit and 64-bit editions. That makes it a practical choice for old office machines, laboratory and workshop computers, and any PC that has to stay on an older Windows version and cannot be replaced.

Can I put all settings back to how they were after installation? 📷

Yes. Build 207 added a "Restore default settings" button to the Settings window, between "Save and Apply changes" and "Cancel". It puts all three tabs back to what a newly installed program starts with, in one step, and it asks before it does anything.

What it leaves alone matters as much: your notes, saved themes, recipients and groups, the e-mail account and the "Show all notes" password all stay exactly as they are. The settings are restored the moment you answer yes, so pressing "Cancel" afterwards does not bring the old ones back.

ShixxNOTE general settings tab with the Restore default settings button

Does the program wait for the network scan before it starts?

No, not since Build 207. Reading the network neighborhood takes about ten seconds, and the notes used to appear on the desktop only once that had finished. The reading now runs in the background, so your notes are there straight away.

The computers found last time are kept in a file of their own, so opening "Send note to other" while the reading is still going gives you the previous list, and the list replaces itself the moment the new one is ready. The scan only happens at all when "Read network neighborhood on program startup" is set to Yes.

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