Replace Notepad With Notepad Windows 11 (Secure)

If you’re finding the updated Windows 11 Notepad a bit too "busy" with its new tabs, AI features, and extra menus, you’re not alone. Many users miss the lightweight, distraction-free "snappiness" of the original.

  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

in its system folders, but it is typically hidden by an "execution alias" that redirects all requests to the modern Store app. Disable the App Alias: Advanced app settings App execution aliases in the list and toggle it to Uninstall the Modern App: Installed apps Search for , click the three dots, and select Once uninstalled, running replace notepad with notepad windows 11

If you want to use Notepad++ as your primary editor, you must manually change the file associations, as Windows 11 doesn't have a single "Replace Notepad" toggle. If you’re finding the updated Windows 11 Notepad

🔧 How to Replace Notepad with Notepad++

Step 1: Download & Install Notepad++

Enter Notepad++ (pronounced "Notepad Plus Plus"). While Windows 11 has given classic Notepad a fresh coat of paint (including dark mode and multi-level undo), it still cannot hold a candle to the 15+ years of innovation baked into Notepad++. Right-click any

Set the value to the path of your editor, followed by -notepadStyleCmdline -z (e.g., "C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe" -notepadStyleCmdline -z). Why Switch?

Right-click the folder, select New > Key, and name it notepad.exe.

reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe" /v "Debugger" /t REG_SZ /d "\"%ProgramFiles%\Notepad++\notepad++.exe\" -notepadStyleCmdline -z" /f Note: If you installed the 32-bit version, use %ProgramFiles(x86)% Using Internal Notepad++ Settings Launch Notepad++ as an Administrator Preferences File Association from the supported extensions list and move