Replace Notepad with Another Text Editor (eg. Notepad2 and Notepad++) in Vista

You have downloaded an Notepad replacement text editor, such as Notepad2 or Notepad++. After installing the program, you may intend to replace the Notepad completely with the new text editor. By replacing Notepad, the new text editor will be used instead of Notepad when you double click on a text file or any files with extension that is associated with Notepad. In other words, Notepad2, Notepad++ or another editor text editors will become default editor. Other function such as View Source in Internet Explorer or Edit certain files or batch scripts via right click menu will be opened in new text editor too.

How to replace built-in standard version of Notepad in Windows Vista with alternative text editor:

  1. Backup or rename original Notepad.exe to another name, such as Notepad.original.
  2. Download and install Notepad replacement text editor that you prefer. Most alternative text editors, including Notepad2, Notepad++, BDV Notepad and etc works with this trick. If you’re using TED Editor, simply select “Notepad replacement” during setup to get the job done for you.
  3. Notepad.exe is a protected system file. So you will need to set the owner to “Administrators”, and then grant Administrators “Full Control” permissions. You can do so by right click on Notepad.exe and select “Properties”, then go to Security tab and click on Advanced button. You will see Owner and Permissions tab where you can take over ownership of Notepad.exe.
  4. Rename the alternative text editor executable filename to notepad.exe (e.g. rename Notepad2.exe to notepad.exe or notepad++.exe to notepad.exe). To ensure that the application still work when you run the program icon, you can make a copy instead of rename. Allow when prompted for permission.
  5. Copy the renamed notepad.exe to the following directories by drag and drop using Windows Explorer:

    \Windows
    \Windows\System32

You now have the classic Notepad replaced.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 4th, 2007 at 10:56 pm and is filed under Windows Vista. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

7 Responses to “Replace Notepad with Another Text Editor (eg. Notepad2 and Notepad++) in Vista”

  1. 闪灵屋 » Blog Archive » Auto Install Script for Notepad2 in Vista to Replace Notepad
    September 15th, 2008 15:18
    7

    [...] to completely replace the default classic yet not much functionality Notepad, they can follow this hack. However, if you do not want to do the steps manually, here’s a auto installation script for [...]

  2. 闪灵屋 » Blog Archive » Windows Vista Notepad Replacement Alternative
    September 15th, 2008 14:42
    6

    [...] There are plenty more of free or paid replacement text editor alternative for Notepad. You can see a comprehensive list of them in Wikipedia. To completely replace Notepad so that whenever you double click on a text file or view source in IE, it’s the replacement text editor that open it, you need this trick. [...]

  3. Topaz
    June 7th, 2008 05:01
    5

    Why can’t the hell Notepad++ have an option to make it the default text editor like all other text editors do?

  4. hendrikstroh.de » Blog Archiv » Windows Notepad durch Notepad2 ersetzen
    September 17th, 2007 06:07
    4

    [...] Replace Notepad with Another Text Editor (eg. Notepad2 and Notepad++) in Windows Vista [...]

  5. Auto Install Script for Notepad2 in Vista to Replace Notepad » My Digital Life
    May 5th, 2007 18:23
    3

    [...] to completely replace the default classic yet not much functionality Notepad, they can follow this hack. However, if you do not want to do the steps manually, here’s a auto installation script for [...]

  6. Skip
    May 5th, 2007 04:06
    2

    You better read this befoee you try to start replacing notepad this way.

    http://blogs.msdn.com/michkap/archive/2007/02/22/1738882.aspx

  7. Windows Vista Notepad Replacement Alternative » My Digital Life
    May 4th, 2007 22:57
    1

    [...] text file or view source in IE, it’s the replacement text editor that open it, you need this trick. Get help or contribute tips or tricks at My Digital Life [...]

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