How to Make Notepad++ Default in Windows 11
Notepad++ (a text editor with tabs and syntax highlighting) replaces the built-in Windows text editor so you can open all .txt files in your preferred program automatically.
Windows 11 assigns the basic Notepad app to handle text files by default, but you can change this setting in a few clicks.
Change your default app settings for plain text files. Go to Settings Apps Default Apps, find Notepad, and switch the default app for .txt and other text files to Notepad++.
How to install Notepad++ on 🪟 Windows 11
To install Notepad++ on Windows 11, download the official installer file from the Notepad++ website, open your Downloads folder, and run the setup file to complete the installation wizard. This gives you a fast text editor that replaces the built-in Notepad app for opening code and notes.
First, go to the link below to download Notepad++
Once downloaded, go to your Downloads folder and run the executable. Follow the installation wizard to complete the setup.
By default, Notepad++ will install in the C:Program FilesNotepad++ folder. To install in a different folder, click Browse and select another folder.
Choosing installation components involves ticking boxes for the features you want and unticking those you don't. The default choices usually work well for most people. Clicking 'Next' moves the Windows 11 installation forward.
Next, click Install to finish the installation wizard.
How to make Notepad++ default text editor in 🪟 Windows 11
Now that Notepad++ is installed, let's get it set as your default text editor.
Windows 11 keeps most of its settings in one place, the System Settings. Here, you can manage everything from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows.
Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. This action opens the main configuration area for Windows 11.
Typing "Settings" into the taskbar's search box uncovers Windows Settings quickly. Selecting the "Settings" app from the search results opens the application, allowing you to adjust system preferences. This offers a rapid path to Windows Settings without navigating through the Start menu.
Your Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Apps, and select Default Apps on the right pane of your screen.
Type .txt into the search box on the Default Apps page, then click Notepad in the results.
Click on Notepad from that list. Click on Notepad.
The next screen lists all the file types currently opening with Notepad. You'll need to select each one and change it to open with Notepad++.
When you select Notepad, a pop-out window will prompt you to choose the app you want to always open this file type.
Click on the More apps link as highlighted below.
Next, select Look for another app on this PC.
The default Windows file explorer opens the C:Program Files directory. To set Notepad++ as the default program, you must open the Notepad++ folder within this directory and then select the Notepad++ application file. This makes sure all text files open automatically in Notepad++, a powerful free text editor.
Select the Notepad++ app and click Open to always open this file with Notepad++.
Repeat the file association process for every file type, such as .txt, .log, and .ini, until Notepad++ becomes the chosen program to open all these files. This ensures Notepad++ consistently handles your text-based documents.
How to completely make Notepad++ default in 🪟 Windows 11
To make Notepad++ default editor Windows 11 setups require, you must run a command prompt with administrator rights to change how text files open. Setting this up ensures that every time you double-click a text file, your computer opens it in Notepad++ instead of the standard Windows app.
First, open the command prompt as administrator. Click the Start menu, search for Command Prompt, right-click, and select Run as administrator.
Run the following commands in the administrative terminal to map the file extensions, or use the reverse commands if you ever need to restore the original defaults:
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
Run the following commands in the administrative terminal to map the file extensions, or use the reverse commands if you ever need to restore the original defaults:
REG DELETE “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe” /v “Debugger” /f
That should do it!
Conclusion:
- Notepad++ offers advanced features and support for multiple programming languages, making it an excellent alternative to the default Notepad application in Windows 11.
- The installation process is straightforward, ensuring that users can quickly set up and configure Notepad++ to meet their needs.
- Changing the default text editor to Notepad++ allows for a more efficient workflow, particularly for developers and users handling various file types.
- By following the outlined steps, users can personalize their text editing experience and take full advantage of what Notepad++ has to offer.
- Remember to apply the additional command line steps if you want to ensure Notepad++ fully replaces Notepad in all scenarios.
Enjoy your enhanced text editing experience with Notepad++!
How to get classic Notepad back in 🪟 Windows 11?
Restoring the classic notepad.exe involves opening Command Prompt as an administrator. Specific commands then re-enable the traditional Notepad if another application removed or replaced it.
What is the default text editor for 🪟 Windows 11?
The built-in text editor for Windows 11 is Notepad. It's a simple program for opening and editing basic text files. For more advanced features, people often install alternative editors like Notepad++.
How do I make Notepad me default editor?
Making Notepad your default editor requires heading to Windows Settings and searching for 'Default apps'. Locating Notepad in the list and selecting it guarantees that text files open automatically with Notepad.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
Thanks for covering this. I have one issue – that last command if I copy/paste it in a admin window and go to execute it I get “ERROR: Invalid syntax. Type “REG ADD /?” for usage.
I am running windows 11 Pro. Thanks…
The last command is missing “\”s so the correct string would be:
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