How to Restore old Notepad in Windows 11

One thing we can all agree on is that the older Notepad version is flawless and easy to use. For decades, this lightweight text editor was the go-to for quick notes, editing configuration files, or writing simple code snippets. Recently, Microsoft updated Windows 11, introducing a newer, more feature-rich version. More features are on the way. While the new Notepad offers welcome additions like tabs and autosave, some users, like me, find the older version to be pretty solid. If you also agree to my statement, here are the steps to restore old Notepad in Windows 11, since it still exists.

Disable the App Execution Alias that opens new Notepad

The primary reason you see the new Notepad when you type “Notepad” or run it is due to an “App Execution Alias.” This alias intercepts the call to the old version and redirects it to launch the new app instead.

Here’s how to disable the Notepad app execution alias:

1. Open App Execution Aliases Settings: Press Windows Key + I to open Settings. Navigate to Apps > Advanced App Settings > App Execution Aliases.
2. Locate the Notepad Alias: Scroll down the list until you find an entry named Notepad (it might also be listed as notepad.exe). You’ll see it points to “App Installer”.
3. Disable the Alias: Toggle the switch OFF for this specific Notepad alias.
4. Confirm Action: You might see a brief User Account Control (UAC) prompt. Click Yes to confirm the change.
5. Close Settings: You can now close the Settings window.

Create a Shortcut to restore the old Notepad version in Windows 11

Now that the alias is disabled, when you open Notepad, it will open the older version since the classic notepad.exe is still present in its traditional location within Windows 11. Consequently, if you create a shortcut for it, it will open normally. Here are the steps:

1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop and select New > Create Shortcut.
2. Specify Notepad Path: In the path of the shortcut, enter the Notepad path i.e. C:\Windows\System32\Notepad.exe
3. Click Next and then Finish.
4. (Optional) Rename & Pin: Right-click the new shortcut, select “Rename,” to give a name if you wish.
5. Launch the Classic Version: Double-click your new shortcut. You should now see the familiar, Original old Notepad.

To summarize, the original Notepad is admired by many despite the New Notepad offering Modern conveniences. By disabling the app execution alias and creating a direct shortcut to the classic notepad.exe residing in System32. You can restore the older, basic Notepad experience on your Windows 11 machine.