Enable old Classic Notepad in Windows 11 24H2 without AI and modern UI

To restore the classic Notepad experience, users can navigate to the App execution aliases settings and disable the .txt execution for notepad.exe. After closing the settings, simply open the Windows Run dialog (using Win+R) and type notepad.exe. This action will launch the legacy version of Notepad, devoid of modern UI and AI features. However, many users may wonder how to set this classic version as their default text editor.

In a recent update, Microsoft introduced a ChatGPT-based “Rewrite” feature to Notepad, aligning with its broader initiative to integrate Copilot across its product suite. While this addition is certainly beneficial, it does require users to sign in with a Microsoft account and possess a Microsoft 365 subscription to access the AI capabilities. Fortunately, the core functionalities of Notepad, such as spell-check and Bing search, remain available without the need for an account. Yet, these enhancements have altered the minimalist aesthetic that many users cherished in the original Notepad. For those longing for the simplicity of the classic version, a few adjustments in Windows can bring it back to life.

How to enable the classic Notepad in Windows 11

Step 1. Check if your PC already has the classic Notepad installed

1. Open the Settings app, navigate to “System”, and scroll down to “Optional features”.
2. In the search box on the next page, type Notepad. If it’s already installed, you’ll see it listed.
3. If Notepad is absent, click the “View features” button at the top of the “Add an optional feature” menu.
4. Search for Notepad and proceed with the installation.

Step 2. Remove notepad.exe association with the new Notepad

To ensure that notepad.exe directs to the classic version rather than the new one, adjustments to the app execution aliases are necessary.

1. In the Settings app, click on the Apps menu.
2. Access Advanced app settings and select “App execution aliases”.
3. Scroll down to find Store Notepad and toggle it off.

With this change, the classic Notepad is now set as the default application for notepad.exe. To confirm, open the Run dialog by pressing the Windows key and R simultaneously, then type notepad. The familiar interface of the classic Notepad should appear.

Step 3. Add .txt file association to the legacy Notepad

Next, it’s essential to associate .txt files with the legacy Notepad.

1. Open the Run dialog (Win + R), type “regedit”, and hit Enter.
2. When prompted, click “Yes” to allow changes to your device; this process is safe.
3. Copy the path “HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREClassestxtfilelegacy” and paste it into the address bar.
4. Press Enter to locate the txtfilelegacy folder on the left side.
5. Right-click the txtfilelegacy folder, select New, and then Key.
6. Rename this new key to Shell, which will contain commands related to the .txt file type.
7. Right-click the Shell key, hover over New, and select Key again.
8. Name this key Open, which specifies the action for opening .txt files.
9. For the command to execute when opening a .txt file, right-click the Open key, select New, and then Key. Rename this key Command.
10. Double-click the (default) icon in the Command key pane.
11. In the pop-up menu, under “Value data:”, paste “c:windowssystem32notepad.exe”, followed by a space and “%1”. Click OK.

This configuration sets the default value of the Command key to c:windowssystem32notepad.exe “%1”, ensuring that the legacy Notepad opens with the selected file when a .txt file is accessed.

Step 4. Make classic Notepad the default app to always open .txt files

1. Create a random text document in Notepad and save it, whether in the new or classic Notepad.
2. Close Notepad, then right-click the text file. Select “Open with”, followed by “Choose another app”.
3. Select the old Notepad with the legacy icon and check the box for “Always” to set it as the default.

Now, double-clicking any .txt file will automatically open it in the classic Notepad. However, users will still need to search for Notepad in the command prompt to access the classic version directly.

Step 5. Create a Start menu shortcut for old Notepad

1. Right-click on your desktop wallpaper, select New, and click “Shortcut”.
2. In the path box, paste “C:WindowsSystem32notepad.exe file”, then click Next. Name the shortcut as Notepad and press Enter.
3. Press Win + R, type “shell:Common Start Menu”, and hit Enter.
4. Open the Programs folder in the File Explorer.
5. Return to the Notepad shortcut you created, cut it, and paste it into the Programs folder. Click Continue.
6. Open the Start menu, scroll down, and you’ll find the legacy Notepad alongside the Store Notepad, ironically labeled as “New”.

With these steps, users can enjoy both the new and old Notepads, while ensuring that text files open directly in the classic version.

Classic Notepad vs New Notepad

In recent months, Microsoft has rolled out numerous features across its first-party applications, even phasing out some classic apps like Skype. On one hand, the company is heavily investing in AI, integrating it into its offerings. On the other hand, users continue to appreciate the straightforwardness of legacy Windows applications like Notepad.

Personally, I have found myself utilizing the new Notepad more frequently, particularly due to its autosave feature and tab functionality. Even after shutting down my PC, my notes remain intact when I reopen Notepad, often with multiple tabs open. This convenience is something the original Notepad simply cannot match.

One of the new Notepad’s standout features is its dark mode, a simple yet effective addition that has yet to reach the legacy components of Windows. Despite its modern upgrades, the new Notepad is particularly appealing for users who need to store notes long-term, especially if they already have a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Nevertheless, the classic Notepad retains its charm. It is lightweight, straightforward, and has maintained its functionality for decades, making it a familiar tool for millions of Windows users. Just as I often revert to VLC Media Player for specific file types due to familiarity, many users prefer the classic Notepad for its simplicity.

As Windows 11 continues to evolve, with updates to first-party applications including the Store Notepad, users may find themselves reconsidering the classic version. However, the vintage allure of the original Notepad remains a strong draw for many.

How to get back the new Notepad?

As the landscape of Windows 11 shifts with new features and updates, users may wish to revert to the default Notepad. This process is straightforward and can be reversed easily.

1. Open File Explorer and paste the following path into the address bar: “C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuPrograms”. This will take you to the Programs folder where the old Notepad shortcut was copied. Delete it to remove the shortcut.
2. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter. In the Registry Editor address bar, paste the path: HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREClassestxtfilelegacy. Delete the Open subkey.
3. Finally, access the Settings app, navigate to Apps, select Advanced app settings, and open App execution aliases. Toggle the Notepad option back on, and you’re all set.