Replace Notepad With Notepad Windows 11 //top\\ -

The story of replacing Notepad in Windows 11 usually follows one of two paths: upgrading to a more powerful tool like Notepad++ or retreating to the nostalgia of the Classic Notepad. The Upgrade: Moving to Notepad++

1. Right-click any .txt file → Properties
2. Next to “Opens with:” → Click Change
3. Select Notepad++ from the list (or browse to notepad++.exe)
4. Click Set as default → OK

reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe" /v "Debugger" /f to restore original behavior. 2. Restoring the "Classic" Windows 10 Notepad replace notepad with notepad windows 11

1. Open Notepad++ as Administrator.
2. Go to Settings > Preferences > File Association.
3. Click "Context Menu Entry" and ensure "Edit with Notepad++" is checked.
4. Click "Open with Notepad++" for directories if desired.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

1. Open the Start menu and search for "Default apps".
2. Click on "Default apps" to open the Default Apps settings page.
3. Scroll down and click on "Choose default apps by file type".
4. In the "Choose default apps by file type" page, scroll down and find the ".txt" file type.
5. Click on the current default app for ".txt" files (which should be Notepad) and select "Notepad++" from the list of available apps.
6. Repeat steps 4-5 for any other file types that you want Notepad++ to handle, such as ".log" or ".ini".

Windows 11 includes a modern Notepad "app" with tabs and AI features, but the old notepad.exe is still hidden in the system. To make it the default again: Uninstall the New Notepad App: Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Search for Notepad. Click the three dots (...) and select Uninstall. The story of replacing Notepad in Windows 11

Once uninstalled, you can use the "Default Apps" settings to point all text-related extensions to Notepad++. How to Revert the Changes Right-click any

The Verdict