Replace Notepad With Notepad Windows 11 =link= Here

Press Windows Key + R , type notepad , and hit Enter. Windows will now launch Notepad++ instead of the stock editor. How to Undo This Method

Replacing the modern Windows 11 Notepad with another editor like Classic Legacy Notepad

Go to > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases . Find Notepad in the list. Switch the toggle to Off .

Windows 11 comes with a redesigned version of Notepad. While it includes modern features like tabs and dark mode, it still lacks the advanced capabilities required by developers, system administrators, and power users.

During the installation of Notepad++, ensure that the option is checked. If it is already installed, you can modify or reinstall the application to enable it. Step 2: Accessing it in Windows 11 Right-click any file. Look for the Edit with Notepad++ option. replace notepad with notepad windows 11

But here is the problem: Muscle memory is hard to break. You keep hitting Win + R , typing notepad , or right-clicking a .txt file expecting the powerful editor—only to be greeted by Microsoft’s vanilla version.

Notepad++ also includes a convenient built-in tool for setting its own file associations.

Right-click on and select Run as administrator .

If you want your alternative editor to hijack the notepad.exe command completely—meaning it opens even when apps explicitly call for Notepad—you can use a Registry tweak. Step 1: Create a Registry File Open the existing Windows 11 Notepad. Copy and paste the following code into the blank document: Press Windows Key + R , type notepad , and hit Enter

Leave the new Notepad installed. It’s a great scrapbook . But install Notepad++ or VS Code for real work. Change your file associations. And finally, let the 30-year-old gray notepad rest in peace.

Open and navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options . Create a new Key named notepad.exe . Inside that key, create a new String Value named Debugger .

If Windows 11 stubbornly refuses to respect your new default app settings even after you've gone through the steps, especially if it's the default for all txt files, you might need to force the change via the Registry Editor.

Disclaimer: Editing the registry can cause system issues if not done correctly. Proceed with caution. Press Win + R , type regedit , and hit Enter. Find Notepad in the list

As of mid-2026, Microsoft continues to push the modern Store-based Notepad app, but the legacy Notepad remains hidden deep within the operating system. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to uninstall the modern app, restore the classic version, and ensure it remains your default text editor. Why Replace the New Notepad?

If you have multiple versions of notepad.exe, you can explicitly map the system to use the newer, installed version. This is rare in Windows 11, but sometimes necessary if the update didn't properly replace the Windows app system file.

Click when the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears. Step 2: Determine Your Notepad++ Architecture