Once you replace Notepad with Notepad++ on Windows 11, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without:

He found the key. He typed notepad.exe .

Methods 1 and 2 only change file extensions. If an application or system script specifically forces Windows to execute the notepad.exe binary, the stock Notepad will still open.

Method 2: Use the Image File Execution Options (Global Replacement)

In the search bar under "Set a default for a file type or link type", type .txt and click on the result.

If you hate the new version but love the old one, you can actually revert to the legacy version that still exists deep in your system.

Right-click on Image File Execution Options → → Key . Name the new key exactly:

For nearly 40 years, Notepad remained virtually unchanged, originally debuting in 1983 to help users learn to use a mouse. Microsoft introduced the redesigned version for Windows 11 in late 2021 to align with its system (rounded corners, Mica transparency) and to allow for more frequent updates independent of major OS releases. New "Modern" Features: