Notepad commonly uses.txt for plain text notes,.log for system logs, and.ini/.cfg/.conf for configuration files. Notepad supports various file extensions primarily focused on plain text. First, the default extension is .txt, used for basic text without formatting. Second, .log files are utilized for viewing application or system logs. Third, programs use .ini, .cfg, or .conf for configuration settings. Additionally, Notepad can handle .csv for spreadsheets, .bat for Windows scripts, and .sh for Linux/macOS scripts, making it versatile for simple text editing tasks despite lacking advanced features.

Notepad is a simple text editor that comes pre-installed on Windows systems. While it doesn't enforce any specific file format, there are several common file extensions you'll see used with Notepad.

.txt – The Default Text File

This is the most common extension for files opened and saved in Notepad. A .txt file contains plain text with no formatting — just letters, numbers, and basic symbols.

• It's ideal for writing notes, logs, or code snippets without any special formatting
• You can open and edit .txt files directly in Notepad without any issues
• If you don’t specify an extension when saving, Notepad will automatically save your file as .txt

.log – For Log Files

System logs, application logs, or server logs are often viewed and edited using Notepad. These files usually have a .log extension.

• They’re typically plain text, so they open easily in Notepad
• Useful for troubleshooting software or checking system events
• Be careful not to accidentally modify log files, especially if they're actively being written by a program

.ini, .cfg, .conf – Configuration Files

Some programs use plain text configuration files that can be edited in Notepad. Common extensions include:

• .ini (e.g., config.ini) – often used in older Windows applications
• .cfg or .conf – commonly seen in games or Unix-based tools

These files control settings and preferences for various software. Editing them carefully in Notepad can help customize behavior or fix issues.

Other Plain Text Extensions (.csv, .bat, .sh, etc.)

Notepad can also handle other plain text formats like:

• .csv – comma-separated values, useful for spreadsheets
• .bat – batch scripts for Windows command-line automation
• .sh – shell scripts used in Linux/macOS (still editable in Notepad, though not executable there)

While more advanced editors might offer syntax highlighting or additional features for these types of files, Notepad remains a quick and accessible option for viewing or making small edits.

Basically, anything that’s plain text can be opened in Notepad — but keep in mind, it won’t handle rich formatting or complex encodings well. So if you’re dealing with something beyond simple text, you might want a more feature-rich editor.

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