Lightweight free writing software that won't kill my old laptop's battery

[ThomasCher]

Hey! I do most of my writing on an old, beat-up laptop that I take everywhere. It's not a powerhouse by any means, and some modern apps (like Electron-based ones) make the fan go crazy and drain the battery in an hour.

I need recommendations for super lightweight free writing software that's easy on system resources. I'm talking about something that opens instantly and lets me write for hours without my laptop turning into a space heater. Native Windows apps are probably best.

I remember using WriteMonkey years ago in full-screen mode, and it was like lightning. Is that still the go-to? Or are there other tiny, portable executables out there that are perfect for distraction-free writing on low-spec machines?

Help me keep this old beast alive for a few more novels!

 

[TerryDoo]

I write on a 10-year-old laptop and have tried ALL the lightweight options.

WriteMonkey is still absolutely the go-to . It's portable (runs from a USB stick!), opens instantly, and the full-screen mode kills distractions. The interface is basically just a blank page with a blinking cursor. Perfect for novels.

Also check out FocusWriter – it's open-source, super lightweight, and has this genius hideaway interface where menus only appear when you hover . You can set daily word goals and track progress without the app slowing down.