Make notepad the default *.txt editor 2

[gradientfx]

This isn't a major problem but it's kind of a pain. If i try to open a *.txt document, it opens in wordpad, but i want to use notepad. Then, if i choose Open With..., i can browse my computer and select notepad, but it will not open with it, it still reverts to word pad. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[jrbarnett]

1. Open Windows explorer
2. go to Tools -> Folder Options and open the File Types tab.
3. Scroll down the list to TXT
4. Click "Change..."
5. Choose Notepad from the list and click OK.

John

 

[LloydSev]

Open Windows Explorer

Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types -> Extension TXT -> Change -> Select Notepad and check "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file"

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[linney]

See if you can adapt this article.

311425 - File May Not Open in the Expected Default Program in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311425&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

What happens if you open Notepad and use the drop down File Menu to open your file?

 

[bcastner]

I am going to take a different approach here.

faq608-4650

Screwing around with notepad as the default editor is often a symptom of malware.

 

[gradientfx]

Going into folder options does not work because when i choose notepad as the program (i have to browse my computer for it, its not on the list) it reverts to word pad.

linney- Once notepad is running, i can open test file with it.

I'm currently working on bcastner's solution. I'll post again when i finish.

 

[Crowley16]

the solution I use, is to goto the context menu of a text file, (right click) and then select Open With > Choose Program

at the bottom of the list of programs, there's a little box called "always use this program to open this type of file" or something like that...

tick that box...

--------------------
Procrastinate Now!

 

[gradientfx]

Ok, I have some more interesting news. I did what you said to do bcastner, and this did not solve the problem. For a temporary solution, i decided to move a copy of notepad.exe to the wordpad folder, rename wordpad.exe to wordpad2.exe, and then rename notepad.exe to wordpad.exe. However, within 10 seconds of renaming wordpad.exe, a new wordpad.exe would be placed in the folder. Eventually, i was able to rename notepad before the new wordpad was added, but i though it a bit odd that wordpad would be recreated. Now i can click on text files and they open in notepad, but i would like to find a better solution, if there is one.

Thanks

 

[gradientfx]

Crowley16-- i would do this, but notepad is not listed in the program list. If i click the browse button and open notepad, it is not added to the list, and the file still opens with wordpad. Thanks though

 

[Crowley16]

not listed?

sounds like something's been messing about with your registry... (or your .exe files)

both notepad and wordpad are standard, this could be a sign that something else is going on...

--------------------
Procrastinate Now!

 

[linney]

Do you have these values in the following two Registry Keys? Sometimes an incorrect value such as an extra " at the end of the value can prevent exe's being added to the "Open With" list.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Unknown\shell\openas\command

%SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1


HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\openas\command

%SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1


Probably the reason you had so much trouble changing Wordpad to Notepad was because of Windows File Protection.

222193 - Description of the Windows File Protection Feature

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222193&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[gradientfx]

i have both of those registry keys, exactly as you typed them. Thanks for the windo file protection info though.