Open Windows Settings and go to Apps → Default apps → Choose default apps by file type, then set Notepad for extensions like .txt, .html, .css, .js, .log, .ini, and .xml. 2. If Notepad isn’t listed, open Control Panel, go to Programs → Default Programs → Set your default programs, select Notepad , and click Set this program as default or choose specific file types manually. 3. If Notepad still doesn’t appear, run it as administrator, go to Settings → Preferences → File Association, and click Register all extensions to make it visible in default app options. 4. Optionally, right-click a .txt file, choose Open with → Choose another app, select Notepad , check Always use this app, and repeat for other file types to update the context menu. After completing these steps, Notepad will open associated files by default, ensuring seamless access for text and code editing.
You can set Notepad as your default text editor on Windows so that files like .txt
, .html
, .css
, .js
, and others open in Notepad automatically when double-clicked. Here's how to do it properly.

1. Set Notepad as Default via Windows Settings
This method works for most common file types:
-
Open Windows Settings
PressWin I
or go to Start → Settings. Go to Apps → Default apps.
-
Scroll down and click on Choose default apps by file type.
-
Wait for the list to load. Look for file extensions like:
.txt
.html
.css
.js
.log
.ini
.xml
Click on the current default app (e.g., "Notepad" or "WordPad") next to any of these extensions.
From the list, select Notepad .
If Notepad isn’t listed, you’ll need to use the Control Panel method below.
2. Use Control Panel to Associate All Text-Based Files
If Notepad doesn’t appear in the default apps list, do this:
Open Control Panel
PressWin R
, typecontrol
, and hit Enter.Go to Programs → Default Programs → Set your default programs.
In the list, find Notepad , then click on it.
-
Click Set this program as default.
This will associate Notepad with all file types it supports (like.txt
,.bat
,.ini
, etc.).Or, click Choose defaults for this program to pick specific file types manually.
Check the boxes next to the file types you want Notepad to open by default.
Click Save.
3. Fix Missing Notepad in Default Apps (If It Doesn’t Appear)
Sometimes Notepad won’t show up in the default apps list. To fix this:
-
Open Notepad as Administrator:
- Right-click Notepad shortcut → Run as administrator.
Inside Notepad , go to: Settings → Preferences → File Association tab.
Click Register all extensions (or manually add the ones you want).
Close and reopen Notepad .
Now go back to Settings → Default apps and try again — Notepad should now appear as an option.
4. Optional: Change Default Editor for "Open With" Context Menu
If you want Notepad to appear at the top of the right-click menu:
Right-click any
.txt
file → Open with → Choose another app.Select Notepad from the list.
Check the box: Always use this app to open .txt files.
Click OK.
Repeat for other file types if needed.
That’s it. Now most plain text and code files should open in Notepad by default. Just make sure it’s properly registered and you’ve set the associations either globally or per file type.
Basically, set it in Default Apps, verify via Control Panel, and register extensions in Notepad itself if needed.
The above is the detailed content of How to set Notepad as default editor. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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