Press Win + R , type notepad , and hit Enter . Windows 11 should now open Notepad++ instead of the default app. How to Undo This Change
Once uninstalled, Windows will revert to the "classic" notepad.exe, or you can map your new editor to handle text files via the settings menu. Top 3 Notepad Replacements for Windows 11 1. Notepad++ replace notepad with notepad windows 11
No tabs, no autosave, no "ai-powered" suggestions—just plain text. System Resource Usage: It uses minimal RAM. Press Win + R , type notepad , and hit Enter
Simply follow the same process, but select “Notepad” as your default app for .txt files instead of your chosen replacement. Top 3 Notepad Replacements for Windows 11 1
If you want the old notepad.exe back as your default, Windows 11 actually keeps it hidden in your system files. You just have to tell Windows to stop "redirecting" you to the new app. Open Settings > Apps . Go to Advanced app settings > App execution aliases . Find Notepad in the list and toggle it Off . Step 2: Create a Shortcut
If you prefer not to touch the Windows Registry, you can use the built-in Settings app to associate specific text file extensions with Notepad++. This method does not redirect the notepad.exe command itself, but it ensures all your text files open in Notepad++ by default. Step-by-Step Instructions Open by pressing Win + I .