Notepad can open binary files, but cannot be parsed correctly, resulting in garbled display. 1. Notepad will read binary files as plain text, but because they do not contain human-readable characters, they are displayed as meaningless symbols; 2. Some bytes (such as empty bytes) will cause Notepad to stop displaying content; 3. If you need to actually process binary files, you should use a hexadecimal editor (such as HxD), which supports viewing and editing original data, understanding file structure and fine-tuning; 4. Using Notepad to process binary files may lead to data corruption, encoding errors, loss of functions and unreadable information; 5. Methods to avoid misoperation include: backing up files in advance, not saving changes when uncertain, and using professional tools to process binary files.

Notepad isn't designed to handle binary files, but you can technically open them if you really want to. The result won't be pretty or useful, though — what you'll see is a jumble of unreadable characters and symbols. Still, some people try it out of curiosity or because they're not aware of better tools.

Notepad opens binary files, but doesn't interpret them

When you open a binary file in Notepad (like an executable or image), it tries to read the file as plain text. Binary files contain raw data that's not meant for human reading — they store machine instructions or encoded content. Notepad has no way of decoding this properly, so you'll end up seeing a mix of random characters, boxes, or even nothing at all.

You might also notice that Notepad gets confused by certain byte values, especially null bytes ( 0x00 ), which can cause it to stop displaying content entirely. This makes Notepad essentially useless for meaningful binary editing or analysis.

Use a hex editor instead for actual binary work

If you actually need to view or edit binary files, use a hex editor . Tools like HxD , Hex Editor Neo, or even built-in developer tools can show you the hexadecimal representation of the file along with corresponding ASCII characters where applicable.

These editors let you:

• View and edit raw binary data
• Understand file structure
• Make small tweaks without corrupting the whole file

For example, if you're trying to fix a slightly corrupted file or understand how data is stored, a hex editor gives you precise control and visibility.

Risks and limitations of using Notepad for binary files

Trying to work with binary files in Notepad comes with real downsides:

• Data corruption : If you save a binary file after opening it in Notepad, it may alter line endings (like turning \n into \r\n ) or truncate content after a null byte.
• Encoding issues : Notepad may misinterpret the file's encoding and silently change content when saving.
• Loss of functionality : Some binary files become unusable if even one byte is changed incorrectly — and Notepad gives you no way to do that safely.
• Limited insight : You gain almost no useful information from looking at binary data in Notepad.

In short, it's not just unhelpful — it can actively hurt your file if you're not careful.

How to avoid accidental damage

If you're curious about binary files but want to stay safe:

• Always makes a backup before opening any binary file in a non-specialized tool.
• Avoid saving changes unless you're 100% sure what you're doing.
• Stick to tools built for binary editing — Notepad isn't one of them.

And if you're just trying to peek inside, remember: there are better ways to explore file contents without risking damage.

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