Example for Notepad++: C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe Step 2: Run a Command Prompt Script
Scroll down or use the search bar to find . Click the three horizontal dots next to it and select Uninstall . Step 4: Set Notepad++ as the New Default
The gold standard. It is lightweight, supports hundreds of languages, and has a massive library of community plugins. 2. VS Code replace notepad with notepad windows 11
If you want to set Notepad++ as the default editor for all file types, you can do so by following these steps:
While the native Windows 11 Notepad is suitable for quick, basic notes, Notepad++ offers an array of professional features: Example for Notepad++: C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++
Repeat this process for other file extensions like .log or .xml . Step 3: Replace the "Notepad" Command Line
Notepad was originally designed to be the simplest possible text editor. It offered no formatting, no hidden characters, no surprises. You could open a configuration file, edit a batch script, or paste text, confident that nothing would be altered without your explicit intention. This made Notepad an indispensable tool for power users, developers, and anyone who needed to work with plain text files reliably. It is lightweight, supports hundreds of languages, and
The beauty of Windows is that you have choices. Whether you upgrade to the incomparable power of Notepad++, restore the simple charm of Legacy Notepad, discover the hidden minimalism of Microsoft Edit, or explore any of the other excellent alternatives available, you can craft a text editing experience that works exactly the way you want it to. The methods in this guide—from the simple Settings change to the Registry redirect—give you complete control over which application launches every time you open a text file.
If you try an alternative and decide you miss the default Notepad after all, restoring it is straightforward.
Making Notepad++ the default ensures that when you double-click a .txt , .log , .md , or .json file, it opens in Notepad++ instead of the native Windows app. Method A: Using "Open With" (Quickest Method) Locate any text file ( .txt ) on your computer. Right-click on the file. Select > Choose another app . Select Notepad++ from the list.