Search for "CMD" in your Start menu, right-click it, and select Run as Administrator .
Type notepad and press . The old, classic text editor window will instantly pop up.
Open the and click on Settings (or press Windows Key + I). Navigate to Apps in the left sidebar. Click on Installed apps . Use the search bar to look for Notepad . replace notepad with notepad windows 11
If you need to revert to the original Notepad for any reason, reversing the registry change is very easy.
If you are a heavy user of code-oriented text editors, you may also be interested in comparing the classic Notepad to Notepad++ , which offers more advanced features than both the old and new Notepad. Search for "CMD" in your Start menu, right-click
Method 2: Use the Image File Execution Options (Global Replacement)
If you need to know how to add custom syntax highlighting or need plugin recommendations, I can help you with those next steps. Open the and click on Settings (or press Windows Key + I)
This doesn't technically delete the original Notepad, but it ensures your preferred app opens every time you double-click a text file. Right-click any . Select Open with > Choose another app . Select your preferred editor (e.g., Notepad++). Check the box: "Always use this app to open .txt files." Click OK .
Here, the text didn't just appear; it landed . The rendering was crisp, smoothing the jagged edges of the Arial font into something almost print-ready. A small pop-up whispered, "Paste successfully formatted."