How to Make Notepad++ Default in Windows 11
Making Notepad++ the default text editor in Windows 11 lets you open all text files in a better program with tabs and color-coded text for writing code. Standard Windows 11 uses the basic Notepad app for any file ending in .txt, but you can swap it out in just a few clicks.
This quick switch saves you from opening the basic Windows Notepad by mistake and means your computer always uses your favorite tool.
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
Getting the application running takes a few clicks, letting developers and casual users alike dive straight into editing. Downloading the installer from the official Notepad++ website, locating the downloaded file, and running it starts the setup process.
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.
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 'Edge' into the search box on the Default Apps page. Microsoft Edge appears in the results below, providing a quick shortcut to the file type menu.
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
Making Notepad++ the default editor in Windows 11 means all your text files, like .txt and .log files, will open with it automatically. Setting Notepad++ as your default editor requires opening the Command Prompt (a text-based command-line interface) as an administrator first. Clicking the Start menu, searching for Command Prompt, then right-clicking and choosing 'Run as administrator' handles this.
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++!
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