Inside the new notepad.exe key, right-click in the right pane and select . Name it Debugger .

Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

Open (search for regedit in the Start menu).

If you find the new Windows 11 Notepad—complete with its tabs, AI features, and "modern" interface—a bit too much for your workflow, you aren't alone. Whether you want to return to the lightweight "Classic" Notepad or fully upgrade to a powerhouse like , here is how to replace Notepad on Windows 11. 1. The Simple Way: Change Default File Associations

Right-click the folder, select , and name it notepad.exe .

Go to Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases . Toggle the switch for Notepad to Off .

In the tab, look for "Opens with" and click the Change button.

Double-click Debugger and set its value to the path of your new editor, followed by the -notepadStyleCmdline -z flag.

Select your preferred app (like Notepad++ ) from the list. If it's not there, click "More apps" or "Look for another app on this PC" to find the .exe file. Click and then Apply . 2. The "True" Replacement: Using Registry Redirection

Example for Notepad++: "C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe" -notepadStyleCmdline -z . 3. How to Get the "Classic" Windows 10 Notepad Back