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Notepad is a Windows staple that hasn’t really changed in years.
Text editors are great.
Programmers and developers use them as one of their basic editing tools.
Notepad has been the standard text editor included with Windows for many years.
The problem is, as text editors go, Notepad is really basic.
And most of them are just as fast and easy to use as Notepad.
We’re using Notepad2 as our example in this article.
Related:What Is a “Portable” App, and Why Does It Matter?
We’ve already tested both Metapad and Notepad2, and both will work.
If you’re using a different app, it’s easy enough to test whether it will work.
Start by downloading the app you want to test and installing it if it’s an installable app.
Next, you’ll need to find the app’s folder.
If it’s a portable app, that’s just the folder you extracted.
Copy that executable file by selecting it and pressing Ctrl+C on your keyboard.
Go to your desktop and paste the file there by hitting Ctrl+V.
Now, double-click that copied file and see if the text editor can run.
If it does, you’re good to go.
If it doesn’t, then it won’t work with the techniques in this article.
and choosing the “Copy” command.
Go ahead and click “Continue.”
When you’re done, you’ll see the original and the copy you made.
it’s possible for you to leave the name the way it is or rename it whatever you like.
We usually go with something like “Notepad - Original.exe.”
Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as just hitting the Delete key.
Even if you’re logged on with an administrator account, you could’t just delete system files like Notepad.
Right-go for the “notepad.exe” file and choose “Properties.”
In the Properties window, on the “Security” tab, tap the “Advanced” button.
Note that the current owner of the file is listed as “TrustedInstaller.”
You’re going to take ownership of the file with your account.
smack the “Change” link.
it’s possible for you to then hit the “OK” button.
You’ve probably also noticed that those five letters were also used to name your user folder.
Go ahead and click “Yes.”
you might click “OK” to kill the file’s Properties window.
Now, you should have all the permission you oughta delete the “notepad.exe” file in this location.
Go ahead and perform all these steps in all the locations where you found the “notepad.exe” file.
When you’re done, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
And now comes the easy part.
First, find the executable file for the replacement text editor.
If it was one you tested out, it may still be sitting on your desktop.
Otherwise, you’ll need to find it in the app’s folder.
Copy that executable file by selecting it and pressing Ctrl+C.
Right after you paste the copy, rename it to “notepad.exe.”
You’ll likely need to provide administrator permission again for this step.
Don’t worry if the thumbnail changes to show the old Notepad icon.
Go ahead and repeat these steps for all the locations where “notepad.exe” was originally located.
Your new text editor should come up.
