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.)
Contents
(Proceed directly to the RECOMMENDED method.)
Which of the Methods below should you use?
If you want Notepad++ to open whenever you double-click a text file, and whenever notepad.exe
is executed, follow one of the options under Method 1
. This also means that you can’t run Notepad as long as the setting is in effect. This method uses the debugger
registry value to redirect a program to another program. Once you redirect a program using this method, when you launch Notepad by running notepad.exe
directly or double-click a text file, Notepad++ starts instead of Notepad. This method works in Notepad++ 7.5.9
and higher.
Whereas if you follow Method 2
(which is a traditional file association modification), you can still launch Notepad as usual; you can start Notepad via shortcut, the Run dialog, Open with dialog, etc.
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++.
- Start an elevated or admin Command Prompt.
- 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, thedebugger
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
- 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.
- 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
- Save the file as
npp.vbs
- Move the file to the
C:\Windows
directory. - Start the Registry Editor and go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- Create a subkey named notepad.exe
- Under the
notepad.exe
key, create a string value (REG_SZ) namedDebugger
- Double-click Debugger and set its data as follows:
c:\windows\system32\wscript.exe "c:\windows\npp.vbs"
- Then, go to the following key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\shell\open\command
- Double-click
(default)
and change the value data from:%SystemRoot%\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1
to the following:
%SystemRoot%\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE "%1"
- 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.
- Create a sample text document on the desktop.
- Right-click on the file and click Properties.
- 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 isC:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe
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.