Restore Old Notepad on Windows (No AI)

If you upgraded to Windows 11 and miss the classic Notepad — the one with the simple menu bar and no AI features — you can bring it back. This guide shows you how to restore the original Notepad app on Windows 10 and 11 without using any AI tools or third-party software. You’ll only need a few minutes and basic file access.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC with administrator access
• File Explorer with “Show hidden filesâ€� enabled (we’ll show you how)
• Optional: a backup of the original Notepad files (if you have one)

Step-by-Step

1. Check your current Notepad version. Open Notepad, click the gear icon (Settings) or the Help menu, and note the version. If you see “Notepad� with a modern interface and AI features, you have the new app.
2. Enable hidden files in File Explorer. Open File Explorer, click the “View� tab, and check the “Hidden items� box in the Show/hide group. This is necessary to see system folders.
3. Navigate to the WindowsApps folder. Go to C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. You may see a warning about permissions; click “Continueâ€� to proceed.
4. Find the Notepad app folder. Look for a folder named Microsoft.WindowsNotepad_... (the exact version number varies). If you don’t see it, try Microsoft.Notepad_... or search for “Notepadâ€� in the folder.
5. Take ownership of the folder. Right-click the folder, select “Properties,� go to the “Security� tab, click “Advanced,� then “Change� next to Owner. Enter your username, click “Check Names,� then OK. Check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects� and click OK. Close the properties window.
6. Copy the folder to a safe location. Copy the entire Notepad folder to your Desktop or Documents. This creates a backup you can use later.
7. Open the folder and find the executable. Inside the copied folder, look for a file named Notepad.exe. It might be in a subfolder like Notepad.exe directly or under amd64 or x64 subfolders.
8. Create a shortcut to the executable. Right-click Notepad.exe, select “Send toâ€� > “Desktop (create shortcut).â€� This gives you a shortcut that launches the classic Notepad.
9. Optionally replace the new Notepad entirely. If you want the classic Notepad to open when you type “notepad� in Start, you can replace the new app. However, this is more complex and may break with updates. A safer approach is to use the shortcut you just created.
10. Pin the shortcut to Start or Taskbar. Right-click the shortcut on your Desktop, select “Pin to Start� or “Pin to taskbar� for easy access.

Common Mistakes

• Not enabling hidden files. The WindowsApps folder is hidden by default; if you skip step 2, you won’t see it.
• Forgetting to take ownership. Without ownership, you cannot copy the folder or access the executable. You’ll get an “Access Deniedâ€� error.
• Copying the wrong folder. Make sure you copy the folder that contains Notepad.exe. Sometimes there are multiple versions; pick the one with the classic icon (blue notepad) and not the new one with a colorful icon.
• Deleting the original folder. Do not delete or modify the original WindowsApps folder. You only need to copy it. Deleting it can cause system instability.

Tips

• Use the shortcut after updates. Windows updates may reinstall the new Notepad, but your shortcut will still point to the old executable you copied.
• Set the shortcut to run as administrator. If you need to edit system files, right-click the shortcut, select “Properties,â€� go to “Compatibility,â€� and check “Run this program as an administrator.â€�
• Create a registry entry (advanced). If you want the classic Notepad to open when you type “notepadâ€� in Run, you can modify the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe and set a Debugger value to the path of your old executable. This is risky; back up the registry first.
• Keep the backup folder. Store the copied folder somewhere safe like an external drive, so you can re-create the shortcut if needed.

Troubleshooting

• “Access Deniedâ€� when copying the folder. You likely didn’t take ownership correctly. Repeat step 5, and also grant yourself “Full controlâ€� in the Security tab by editing permissions.
• No Notepad folder in WindowsApps. The new Notepad might be installed as a stub. Try running winget uninstall "Notepad" in Command Prompt (as admin) to remove the new version, then the classic one may appear. Alternatively, search for “notepad.exeâ€� in C:\Windows\System32 — the classic executable is often still there.
• Shortcut says “This app can’t run on your PC.â€� This happens if you copied the wrong architecture (e.g., ARM version on x64). Look for the correct subfolder (x64 or amd64) and use that executable.
• Classic Notepad opens but shows errors. Some features may rely on system files. Try copying the entire folder, not just the .exe, and ensure the folder structure is intact.
• After an update, the shortcut stops working. Windows may have replaced the executable. Re-copy the folder from WindowsApps (if still present) or restore from your backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it legal to restore the old Notepad? Yes, it’s your system, and you’re using a Microsoft-provided executable. It’s not piracy or bypassing security.
2. Will the old Notepad still get security updates? No, the classic Notepad is no longer updated. It’s safe for basic text editing, but if you handle untrusted files, consider using the new version or an alternative.
3. Can I use this method on Windows 10? Yes, Windows 10 also has the new Notepad in some versions. The steps are the same.
4. What if I don’t have admin rights? You’ll need admin rights to access the WindowsApps folder. If you’re on a work or school PC, contact your IT department.
5. Will this break Windows updates? No, as long as you only copy the folder and don’t modify the original. Updates may overwrite the new Notepad, but your shortcut remains.
6. Can I set the old Notepad as the default for .txt files? Yes, right-click a .txt file, choose “Open with,â€� then “Choose another app,â€� browse to your shortcut’s target (the old Notepad.exe), and check “Always use this app.â€�

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