Restore Classic Notepad on Windows 11 Alongside the AI-Enhanced Editor

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Windows 11’s Notepad has been modernized with formatting and AI features, but the classic, no-frills Notepad is still available — and with a few sensible tweaks you can run it side-by-side with Microsoft’s new Notepad or make it the editor that opens when you type notepad.exe. This article explains exactly how to restore the classic Notepad experience, why Microsoft made the change, the administrative controls available in business environments, and the trade-offs you should weigh before changing system defaults.

Background / Overview​

Microsoft has actively modernized several legacy Windows utilities in recent Windows 11 updates, and Notepad is a prime example. The new Notepad adds a lightweight formatting toolbar, Markdown support, tabbed sessions in some builds, and AI-powered tools such as Rewrite, Summarize, and Write — features aimed at speeding up common writing tasks and integrating Copilot capabilities into a previously minimal editor. These changes shipped gradually through Insider channels and rolled into broader releases, prompting a mix of praise for added capability and complaints from users who prefer the traditional, ultra-lightweight interface. (support.microsoft.com) (theverge.com)
At the same time, Windows keeps the original Notepad executable on many machines (notepad.exe in C:\Windows and C:\Windows\System32), but Windows 11 may route the Start menu or search results to the modern app package instead of the classic executable. The practical upshot: you can have both versions installed and choose which one launches by default with a couple of settings changes rather than uninstalling anything. This is the path recommended by multiple community guides and confirmed by system-level checks.

What changed in Notepad — the essentials​

AI features and formatting​

  • Rewrite / Summarize / Write: These are generative text tools integrated into Notepad that can rephrase, shorten, expand, or create text based on prompts. They are powered by cloud services and, in many deployments, require a Microsoft account and use AI credits where applicable. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Formatting / Markdown support: In some Insider and later builds, Notepad gained a small formatting toolbar for bold, italics, lists and the ability to view formatted markdown — a middle ground between heritage plain text and a full word processor. (windowscentral.com)
These changes are the core reasons some users feel Notepad has drifted away from its original, strictly plain-text purpose. The new features are opt-in from a policy and settings standpoint, and Microsoft provides toggles in-app and enterprise controls for administrators. (learn.microsoft.com)

Why Microsoft did it​

Microsoft’s push to infuse Copilot and AI across Windows utilities reflects a platform strategy: make everyday tools more capable without forcing users into separate paid software. For many, this is a welcome productivity boost; for others it’s “feature creep” inside a tool that historically shipped empty and fast. The implementation is deliberate — not forced — and the company included user-facing controls to disable the AI layer. (wired.com) (pureinfotech.com)

How to get the classic Notepad back — step-by-step​

The cleanest method to run classic Notepad while leaving the modern Notepad installed is to disable the modern app’s execution alias and then call the classic executable directly. This keeps both available and lets you pick the one you want for a given task.

Quick summary (one-line)​

Disable the modern Notepad execution alias, then run C:\Windows\notepad.exe (or C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe) and pin it where you want.

Full, reader-friendly steps​

  • Open Settings (press Win + I).
  • Go to Apps → Advanced app settings → App execution aliases.
  • Find the entry named Notepad (or Notepad.exe) and toggle it Off. This stops the Store/UWP package from hijacking the standard notepad.exe name. (winhelponline.com)
  • Open File Explorer and navigate to your system drive (usually C.
  • Look in C:\Windows (and if necessary C:\Windows\System32) for notepad.exe. Double-click to confirm the classic app opens. If you can’t find it there, use the Optional Features list (Settings → System → Optional features → View features) and search for Notepad (system) to re-add the classic package if it was removed. (winhelponline.com)
  • Create a shortcut (right-click → Show more options → Create shortcut) or pin the program to the taskbar or Start for quick access. You can also create a desktop shortcut that points directly to C:\Windows\notepad.exe.
  • Test the Run dialog: press Win + R, type notepad.exe, and press Enter. After the alias is disabled, this should launch the classic Notepad. If it still launches the new app, double‑check App execution aliases and restart the session. (windowsforum.com)
These steps reproduce the behavior described in multiple community how‑tos and system guides and are the recommended non-invasive approach to “reverting” Notepad for everyday use. (windowsforum.com)

Why this works: App execution aliases and the store-packaged Notepad​

Windows-based UWP/Store apps can register an execution alias (a simple command name, e.g., notepad.exe) so launching that name triggers the store app. The modern Notepad uses that mechanism. When you turn off the alias in Settings, Windows no longer resolves that command to the packaged app, allowing the classic on‑disk executable at C:\Windows\notepad.exe to be found and run instead. That mechanism is the exact lever used by the community to restore the classic program while keeping the modern one available. (winhelponline.com) (winaero.com)

Troubleshooting: when classic Notepad won’t appear​

I can’t find notepad.exe in C:\Windows or System32​

  • If the file is missing, the classic Notepad package may have been removed on your edition/update. Reinstall from Settings → System → Optional features → View features → search for Notepad (system) and add it. Community tools confirm this path as how to restore the on-disk binary. (winhelponline.com)

Typing notepad.exe still opens the new app​

  • Revisit Settings → Apps → Advanced app settings → App execution aliases and ensure the Notepad alias is off. If the Win + R behavior still launches the modern app, sign out or reboot to ensure the alias change propagates. (winhelponline.com)

I disabled the alias but the new Notepad is still installed — can I remove it?​

  • You can uninstall the modern Notepad via Start → right‑click → Uninstall, but that removes the UI-based upgrade path and may affect future features. The safer approach is to disable the alias and keep the package installed; that gives you the option to return to the modern app if needed. Several community guides advise not force‑removing store packages unless you understand the update path implications.

Advanced: enterprise controls and admin-level locks​

For organizations that need to control AI or Copilot features centrally, Microsoft provides administrative templates (ADMX) and policy settings specifically for Notepad.
  • DisableAIFeaturesInNotepad: The Notepad ADMX includes a policy named DisableAIFeaturesInNotepad which prevents users from accessing Notepad’s AI capabilities when enabled by an administrator. This setting is available via Group Policy, Intune, or registry deployment and applies machine-wide. The administrative documentation explains supported OS and Notepad versions and how to import ADMX templates. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • App privacy / generative features: Higher-level policies exist to control all text-and-image generation abilities for Windows apps; those can be used to deny generative AI at the platform level when necessary. Use the App Privacy ADMX or the Settings Catalog in Intune to enforce the desired state across an estate. (elevenforum.com)
If you’re a sysadmin concerned about accidental data exfiltration to cloud AI services, these policy controls let you choose whether Notepad’s AI features appear in the UI at all. Documented management paths — Microsoft Learn for Notepad ADMX and vendor how‑tos for Intune/GPO deployment — should be followed for enterprise rollouts. (learn.microsoft.com)

Privacy, licensing, and AI credits — what to watch for​

  • Microsoft account and cloud processing: Notepad’s AI features require sign-in with a Microsoft account and call cloud services to perform rewrite/summarize/write operations. Microsoft’s documentation explicitly states the need for authentication and that these features are cloud-powered. If you disable AI features inside Notepad, those operations won’t be available locally. (support.microsoft.com)
  • AI credits / subscription gating: Some Notepad AI capabilities consume AI credits, which are tied to Microsoft 365 or Copilot subscriptions for extended use. Basic testing might be available in some builds, but sustained generative operations may draw from a user’s or tenant’s allocated credits. Administrators and power users should verify entitlement and credit policies before relying on heavy usage. (prajwaldesai.com)
  • Enterprise risk: In environments that require strict data control, consider disabling AI features through ADMX/Intune or the system-wide “Let Windows apps make use of text and image generative features” group policy to prevent any app from using cloud-based generation. (elevenforum.com)

Alternatives and pragmatic recommendations​

If you’re restoring classic Notepad purely to avoid AI or unwanted UI changes, you have options depending on your workflow:
  • Keep both and use shortcuts — Best balance for most users. Disable the alias, create a desktop or Start shortcut to C:\Windows\notepad.exe, and pin it. This keeps the modern app intact for when its formatting or AI features are useful.
  • Use a third-party editor — Tools like Notepad++ and Visual Studio Code are excellent alternatives for power users: they offer syntax highlighting, plugins, and faster workflows for coding and text processing. These apps don’t rely on Microsoft’s Notepad packaging or Copilot features.
  • Classic Notepad redistributors — Community projects have packaged the classic Notepad for easy install on newer systems; these typically rely on original files and instruct you to disable the modern alias. If you use such installers, verify integrity before running and prefer reputable community vendors. Winaero documents an installer process and warns about alias conflicts. (winaero.com)
  • Don’t hack the registry unless necessary — Many forum posts show registry tricks that return old context menus or force older UI elements; registry edits can work but carry risk. Prefer supported controls (alias toggle, optional features, ADMX). File‑level and policy-based approaches are safer and reversible.

Security and stability considerations​

  • Uninstalling the modern Notepad package: Removing the Store-packaged Notepad can break update paths or remove security fixes tied to that package. Disabling the execution alias is reversible and less intrusive. Community guides caution against removing Store packages unless you have a recovery plan.
  • Copying notepad.exe from other machines: Avoid copying system binaries from other computers unless you understand ramifications (version mismatch, DLL dependencies, language packs). Use Windows Optional Features to restore the classic package or rely on supported installers.
  • Registry and third-party tools: If you must apply registry hacks or third-party UI restorers to replicate older Windows behavior across a fleet, test in a lab and produce rollback scripts. Registry mistakes are among the most frequent causes of post‑tweak failures.

Quick checklist: restore classic Notepad safely​

  • Confirm classic notepad.exe exists: check C:\Windows and C:\Windows\System32. (winhelponline.com)
  • Disable the modern Notepad alias: Settings → Apps → Advanced app settings → App execution aliases → turn Notepad Off. (winhelponline.com)
  • Create a desktop/start/taskbar shortcut pointing to C:\Windows\notepad.exe.
  • If enterprise-managed, use the Notepad ADMX to disable AI features globally rather than per-user tweaks. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Avoid uninstalling the store package unless you have a clear reason and restore path.

Final analysis: trade-offs, strengths, and risks​

  • Strengths of the modern Notepad: The updated Notepad brings modern conveniences — Markdown support, formatting, and cloud-assisted text operations — that can speed drafting and editing for many users. For those who write or edit content regularly, these features are useful and well integrated. Microsoft’s documentation and third-party coverage highlight real productivity wins for certain tasks. (support.microsoft.com) (windowscentral.com)
  • Why classic Notepad still matters: Classic Notepad’s appeal is its simplicity: nearly instant start, tiny memory footprint, and predictable plain-text behavior. Developers, sysadmins, and users who need raw text without formatting or cloud interaction will continue to prefer the old app. The good news is that Windows allows both to coexist with minimal effort.
  • Potential risks: Relying on ad hoc workarounds — registry hacks, third‑party installers, or removing Store packages — introduces support and security risks. In enterprise contexts, uncoordinated changes can create compliance gaps. Use the supported controls (app execution aliases, Optional Features, ADMX) when possible. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Unverifiable / evolving elements: Microsoft’s release cadence and packaging behavior for Notepad can change across Windows 11 feature updates, so steps that work now could shift in a future update. Users and admins should treat the alias toggle and ADMX policies as the long-term, supported levers and revisit guidance after major Windows feature updates. Where correspondence between Windows 11 builds and Notepad behavior was ambiguous in community threads, this article flags those items as subject to change.
Restoring the classic Notepad in Windows 11 is deliberately low-friction: disable the modern alias, run or pin C:\Windows\notepad.exe, and you’re done. For managed environments, use Microsoft’s Notepad ADMX to control AI features centrally. That approach preserves choice — letting users keep the streamlined classic editor they love while preserving the modern app and its additional capabilities for those who value them. (learn.microsoft.com)
If you need a compact, step-by-step cheat sheet to copy into a runbook, the numbered steps in the “Full, reader-friendly steps” section above are ready to paste into documentation and distribute to users.
Source: Guiding Tech How to Get Classic Notepad Back in Windows 11
 
Click to expand...
Windows 11’s Notepad has been redesigned and expanded with formatting and AI features — but the original, tiny, lightning-fast classic Notepad is still on most systems and can be brought back into daily use with a few safe, reversible steps. This guide explains exactly what changed, why Microsoft did it, and how to restore and run the classic Notepad (notepad.exe) side‑by‑side with the modern app. It also covers enterprise controls, security trade‑offs, troubleshooting, and recommended best practices so you can choose the approach that fits your workflow.

Background / Overview​

Microsoft has modernized Notepad in recent Windows 11 updates, adding a lightweight formatting toolbar, Markdown preview, tabs, spellcheck/autocorrect, and generative AI actions such as Rewrite, Summarize, and Write. These additions aim to make simple text editing more productive for everyday writing, but they also change Notepad’s historical role as a plain‑text, no‑friction tool.
At the same time, Microsoft often ships the updated Notepad as a packaged app (Store/UWP style) while preserving the legacy on‑disk binary at C:\Windows\notepad.exe (and the System32 copy). Because the modern Notepad registers an execution alias in Settings, typing or searching for “Notepad” will often open the new app by default unless you disable that alias. The good news: the classic executable usually remains on disk and can be launched directly, letting both versions coexist.
Why this matters: developers, sysadmins, and anyone who relies on predictable, plain‑text behavior need to know how the OS resolves the Notepad command and where to find the legacy binary, while IT administrators must weigh privacy, update, and policy implications of the AI-enabled app.

What changed and what to expect​

The modern Notepad’s feature set (essentials)​

  • AI actions: Rewrite, Summarize, Write — cloud‑backed text generation and transformation tools.
  • Lightweight formatting and Markdown preview for basic rich‑text workflows.
  • Spellcheck, autocorrect, tabbed documents, and auto‑save/session restore in recent builds.
    These features can speed common tasks (drafting, cleaning up copy, simple formatting), but they also introduce cloud calls, sign‑in prompts, and behavior that may alter raw text (autocorrect).

How Notepad is packaged​

Microsoft distributes the modern Notepad as a packaged app that can register an App execution alias (e.g., notepad.exe) so launching that command can resolve to the packaged app instead of the on‑disk binary. Disabling the alias causes Windows to resolve notepad.exe to the classic file on disk. This alias mechanism is the supported, non-invasive lever to choose which Notepad opens for the common notepad.exe command.

Privacy, sign‑in and billing​

Generative features in Notepad typically require a Microsoft account and rely on cloud processing; in some deployments heavy usage may draw from AI credits or subscription entitlements tied to Copilot/Microsoft 365. If privacy or data residency are concerns, admins should treat these features as cloud‑enabled and apply policy controls as necessary.

How to get the classic Notepad back — the safe, recommended way​

The safest approach is non‑destructive and reversible: turn off the modern app’s execution alias, then run the classic notepad.exe on disk and pin or shortcut it for convenience. Follow these steps exactly.
  • Open Settings (press Win + I) and go to Apps.
  • Click Advanced app settings → App execution aliases. Find the entry for Notepad (or Notepad.exe) and toggle it Off. This prevents the packaged Notepad from hijacking the notepad.exe name.
  • Open File Explorer, navigate to your system drive (usually C:), then to C:\Windows. Look for notepad.exe. If you don’t see it there, check C:\Windows\System32. Double‑click to confirm the classic app opens.
  • Create a shortcut (right‑click → Show more options → Create shortcut), drag it to the Desktop, or right‑click the running classic Notepad and choose Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start for quick access.
If you prefer a concise one‑line summary: disable the modern Notepad execution alias, then run C:\Windows\notepad.exe (or C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe) and pin it where you want.

Why the alias toggle works (brief technical explanation)​

When a packaged app registers an execution alias, Windows includes that alias in the name resolution when you call an application name. The Store/UWP Notepad uses that mechanism so that typing notepad.exe can launch the packaged UI. Turning off the alias removes the packaged app’s claim on that name, and Windows falls back to the on‑disk binary path, where legacy Notepad lives. This is the exact, supported mechanism community guides use to restore classic Notepad without removing the modern app.

Troubleshooting and common questions​

I don’t see notepad.exe in C:\Windows or System32​

If the classic executable is missing (some editions or update pathways may remove it), reinstall the classic package: open Settings → System → Optional features → View features, search for Notepad (system) (or similar), and add it back. This restores the on‑disk binary.

I disabled the alias but Win + R still opens the modern app​

Confirm you toggled the correct alias in Settings → Apps → Advanced app settings → App execution aliases. If the setting is correct but the modern app still appears, sign out or reboot — the alias change sometimes requires a session restart to propagate.

Can I uninstall the modern Notepad?​

Yes — you can uninstall the Store‑packaged Notepad (Start → right‑click → Uninstall) — but that removes the supported update path for the modern app and might affect future feature or security servicing for that package. Community guidance and Microsoft documentation recommend disabling the alias rather than uninstalling the package unless you have a clear recovery plan.

Is it safe to copy notepad.exe from another machine?​

Don’t do that. Copying system binaries between machines or versions can cause DLL mismatches, language/locale issues, or security/version incompatibilities. Use Optional Features to restore the official package or rely on supported installers.

How do I make the classic Notepad the default app for .txt files?​

If you want double‑click actions to open with the classic Notepad, use Open with → Choose another app → More apps → Look for another app on this PC, navigate to C:\Windows\notepad.exe, select it and check Always use this app. This method works in many builds but file‑association behavior can vary across Windows 11 feature updates; test on your machine. Flag: file association behavior can be influenced by the packaged app registering default handlers, so results may vary by build and tenant.

Enterprise guidance: policy, ADMX, and risk control​

Organizations that must control AI or Copilot features centrally should use Microsoft’s administrative templates (ADMX) for Notepad and higher‑level platform policies. There is an ADMX setting that administrators can deploy to disable Notepad’s generative/AI features machine‑wide (for example, documented entries such as DisableAIFeaturesInNotepad appear in current ADMX guidance). Use Group Policy, Intune, or registry deployment to enforce the desired state across an estate.
For platform‑level controls (preventing any Windows apps from calling generative services), use the App Privacy ADMX or the Settings Catalog in Intune and the “Let Windows apps make use of text and image generative features” policy to centrally deny generative AI. These methods are preferred over ad‑hoc per‑machine registry edits when managing dozens or thousands of devices.
Caution for admins: generative features often require authentication and may consume subscription‑related AI credits; verify tenant entitlements and licensing implications before enabling broad usage. These elements are subject to change; always confirm policy names and supported OS versions against Microsoft Learn before large rollouts.

Security, privacy and update considerations — a balanced view​

  • Strengths of the modern Notepad:
  • Productivity: built‑in formatting, markdown, tabs and AI actions speed many short editing tasks.
  • Feature parity: modern conveniences like spellcheck, auto‑save and tabs reduce the need to open heavier editors for quick work.
  • Why classic Notepad still matters:
  • Predictability and minimalism: tiny memory footprint, no cloud calls, and no background autocorrect or formatting that can alter raw configuration files or code. Classic Notepad remains highly valuable for sysadmins and developers.
  • Key risks and trade‑offs:
  • Cloud privacy: generative features call cloud services and typically require a Microsoft account; this raises data‑handling concerns in regulated environments.
  • Service dependencies: the modern Notepad may be updated via the Store/package pipeline; uninstalling the package removes that managed update channel.
  • Unmanaged tweaks: registry hacks and third‑party installers that forcibly remove or replace modern components carry support and security risks; avoid these unless you understand rollback and testing.
Recommendation: for most users, disable the app execution alias and run the classic Notepad directly. This is reversible, low‑risk, and preserves both tools for when you need them. For organizations, control the behavior centrally with ADMX/Intune rather than per‑user workarounds.

Alternatives: when to pick a third‑party editor​

If your needs go beyond plain text and you want more power than classic Notepad without using the modern Notepad’s AI features, consider these editors:
  • Notepad++ — long‑time open source favorite with syntax highlighting, plugins, and very low footprint.
  • Visual Studio Code — a full‑featured editor and IDE with extensions; heavier but extremely extensible.
  • Sublime Text / Atom — alternatives offering various tradeoffs between speed, features, and licensing.
These editors do not register the same packaged Notepad aliases and are better choices for heavy editing, coding, or when you want plugin ecosystems instead of built‑in AI.

Advanced options and tips​

Pinning and shortcuts​

Once you’ve launched the legacy Notepad from C:\Windows\notepad.exe, right‑click its running button and choose Pin to taskbar or Pin to Start. For a desktop shortcut, right‑click the binary and choose Create shortcut (or use the standard “New → Shortcut” flow and point to notepad.exe). This keeps classic Notepad one click away even if the modern app remains installed.

Scripted rollouts for IT​

For organizations that want to standardize the classic Notepad experience without uninstalling the modern app, build a runbook:
  • Deploy ADMX to disable AI features where required.
  • Use a configuration script or Intune Policy to set a desktop shortcut to C:\Windows\notepad.exe if the classic binary is present.
  • Document rollback steps (re-enable alias, remove shortcut) and test on a limited set before broad rollout.

When registry hacks are (and are not) reasonable​

There are registry / shell hacks that revert certain UI behaviors (context menus, classic shells), but they carry risk. Prefer supported levers (App execution aliases, Optional Features, ADMX) for maintainability and vendor supportability. If you must edit the registry, test and maintain rollback scripts.

What can change — and what to watch for​

Microsoft’s packaging and update strategy can evolve across feature updates, so the exact UI path or alias name used by the modern Notepad may change over time. The alias toggle and ADMX controls are the long‑term supported levers today, but administrators and power users should re‑verify behavior after major Windows 11 updates. If a future release changes how Notepad is packaged, follow Microsoft Learn and the official Notepad administrative documentation before applying broad changes. This is flagged as subject to change; verify on your build before automating.

Final verdict and recommended workflow​

For most users who miss the old, minimal Notepad, the best path is clear:
  • Disable the modern Notepad’s App execution alias (non‑destructive).
  • Launch C:\Windows\notepad.exe, then create a desktop shortcut or pin it to the taskbar.
  • Preserve the modern app installed (don’t uninstall) so you can switch back when you want formatting or AI tools.
For administrators, manage exposure to cloud AI with the Notepad ADMX and platform privacy policies, and avoid brittle registry hacks across large estates. If you need power editing beyond Notepad’s scope, pick a purpose‑built editor like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code instead of forcing a single app to cover everything.
Conclusion
Windows 11’s updated Notepad brings useful modern conveniences for many users but also changes the old, predictable plain‑text experience. Fortunately, Microsoft left practical, supported levers in place: the classic Notepad executable usually remains on disk, and the App execution alias toggle lets you prefer the legacy binary without removing the modern app. For personal users the alias approach is quick and reversible; for enterprises, ADMX and Intune provide the management controls needed to balance productivity with privacy and compliance. Use the safe, documented paths described above rather than heavy registry hacks or ad‑hoc removal — that way you keep choice, compatibility, and supportability intact.
Source: Guiding Tech How to Get Classic Notepad Back in Windows 11
 
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