How to restore access to classic Notepad on Windows 11

[harlan4096]

Microsoft replaced the classic Notepad text editor on Windows 11 with an advanced version featuring new features such as tabs and AI integrations. Not every Windows user likes the change. Some prefer the old snappy version of Notepad instead.

The problem: When you launch Notepad on Windows 11, for instance from the Start menu or runbox, the new Notepad application is launched.

What Microsoft does not tell you is that the classic Notepad application is still onboard. You can restore it with just a few basic steps, which I will outline below.

How to restore classic Notepad on Windows 11



Note:  This methods works on all recent versions of Windows 11, including Windows 11, version 24H2.

Here are the steps:

1. Open the Start menu.
   
2. Select Settings to launch the Settings application.
   
3. Navigate to Apps > Advanced App settings > App execution aliases.
   
4. Scroll down the list until you find Notepad.
   
5. Toggle the alias to Off with a click.
   

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