How to Replace Notepad With Notepad++ or Other Editor

If you’re looking at how to replace Notepad with Notepad++ or any third-party editor, this post explains how to do it. Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Let’s see how you can replace Notepad with Notepad++ without replacing any system files.

Notepad is a lightweight program suitable for users who need only very minimal text editing features. For additional features and functionalities, third-party editors like Notepad++ and Sublime Text are awesome, with many features built-in.

(This article applies to all versions of Windows, including Windows 10/11.)

(Proceed directly to the RECOMMENDED method.)

How to Replace Notepad with Notepad++

Method 1

Option 1: Using Notepad++’s new command-line

Note: This is the RECOMMENDED method. It doesn’t need a 3rd party program or script.

Run the following command to replace Notepad with Notepad++.

1. Start an elevated or admin Command Prompt.
2. Copy the following command, paste it into Command Prompt, and press Enter:

   reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe" /v "Debugger" /t REG_SZ /d "\"%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Notepad++\notepad++.exe\" -notepadStyleCmdline -z" /f

   Note that you may need to use “%ProgramFiles%\Notepad++\” to substitute for “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Notepad++\” if you have Notepad++ 64-bit installed, or use the appropriate path if Notepad++ is installed in a non-default location.

   After running the command, the debugger registry value looks like this:

   

   You can also modify the above registry value using the Registry Editor (regedit.exe) if you don’t prefer the command-line method.

   Windows 11 – Additional Steps needed

   Windows 11 comes with the modern/UWP Notepad Store app, which replaces classic Notepad (using the “AppExecutionAliasRedirect” registry setting) by default. To replace Notepad with Notepad++ in Windows 11, you’ll need to restore the classic Notepad, or uninstall the modern Notepad app via Settings → Apps & Features. Also, run the following command-line if required:

   reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe" /t REG_DWORD /v "UseFilter" /d 0 /f

3. Close the Command Prompt window.

You’ve now replaced Notepad with Notepad++. Launching text files or running Notepad.exe manually will now start Notepad++.

If you wish to undo (reverse) the changes, use the following command:

reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe" /v "Debugger" /f

Option 2: Use NotepadReplacer program

NotepadReplacer software from Binary Fortress lets you replace Notepad the easy way! No registry edits are needed; the program does that automatically.

Download the NotepadReplacer program and run it.

Choose the Notepad alternative (say, Notepad++) by browsing and selecting the executable, click Next, and click Install.

This program sets the debugger for Notepad automatically, redirecting it to “NotepadReplacer.exe,” a proxy program that in turn starts Notepad++ and passes the file name arguments to it.

Option 3: Using a Custom VBScript

Here is a tiny script that intercepts the file name argument(s) used with Notepad.exe and automatically passes it on to Notepad++. This script can be set as the redirector/debugger for Notepad.exe via the registry.

1. Open Notepad, copy the following lines, and paste them:

   Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
   If wscript.arguments.count <2 then
   	WshShell.run "notepad++.exe"
   Else
   	sCmd = "notepad++.exe " & """" & wscript.arguments(1) & """"
   	WshShell.run sCmd
   End If
   

2. Save the file as npp.vbs
3. Move the file to the C:\Windows directory.
4. Start the Registry Editor and go to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

5. Create a subkey named notepad.exe
6. Under the notepad.exe key, create a string value (REG_SZ) named Debugger
7. Double-click Debugger and set its data as follows:

   c:\windows\system32\wscript.exe "c:\windows\npp.vbs"

   

8. Then, go to the following key:

   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\shell\open\command

9. Double-click (default) and change the value data from:

   %SystemRoot%\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1

   to the following:

   %SystemRoot%\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE "%1"

10. Exit the Registry Editor.

Automate Methods (Options 1 & 3) Using registry files:

• Download replace-notepad.zip, unzip and run the appropriate registry file. There is also a undo.reg file provided if you want to reverse the changes.

Method 2: Associate Text Files (.txt) with Notepad++

For many users, simply associating the text files with Notepad++ will be enough. This way, Notepad is not blocked or redirected, and you can open it manually at any time.

1. Create a sample text document on the desktop.
2. Right-click on the file and click Properties.
   
3. Click the Change button, select Notepad++ from the list of apps shown, and click OK.
   
   If Notepad++ isn’t listed there, click “More apps” to show the extended list. Notepad++ may not be listed there if you’re using the portable edition. If so, click “Look for another app on this PC” and manually browse the Notepad++ folder to select the executable. The default Notepad++ executable path is C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe
   RELATED: How to Add “Open with Notepad++” to the Right-click Menu in Windows

   Double-clicking .txt files will now open Notepad++.

Changing the file association is sufficient for most users. However, if you want to completely replace Notepad with Notepad++ such that every call to Notepad will launch Notepad++, follow one of the three options listed under Method 1.

You can also adopt some of the methods discussed in this article for any other text editor of your choice.