Need help for adding a create new txt option to right-click context "New"

raptorex · Feb 27, 2026

I've been trying to add "New Text" option to right-click menu with Nopepad++. I've been messing with the registry for a while but no success. I deleted all the winodws notepad apps both legacy and new one. I only have Notepad++ and want it to open new txt file upon selecting the option from the right click context.
Somebody plz let me know how to achieve this

Ghot · Feb 27, 2026

@raptorex

Here's ten points, just for filling out your computer specs.

In some locations in File Explorer you can't create a text file, like ThisPC for example.

Here's what Google AI says...

The "Text Document" option typically goes missing from the Windows 11
New menu because of corrupted file associations, a missing Notepad installation, or a registry error often triggered by third-party apps like Notepad++.

1. Re-register Notepad as the Default App
Windows may remove the "New" option if it doesn't recognize a default handler for .txt files.

Open Settings > Apps > Default apps.

Type .txt in the search bar.

If Notepad isn't selected, click the current app and choose Notepad.

If Notepad is already selected, temporarily switch it to another app (like WordPad) and then switch it back to Notepad to force a refresh.

2. Repair or Reinstall the Notepad App
Since Windows 11 treats Notepad as a Store app, it can sometimes lose its shell integration.

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

Find Notepad, click the three dots, and select Advanced options.

Click Repair. If that doesn't work, click Reset.

As a last resort: Uninstall Notepad from this menu, then reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.

3. Restore via Registry (Direct Fix)
If the "New" entry is still missing, you may need to manually re-add the ShellNew key to your registry.

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

Navigate to: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt.

Right-click the .txt folder, select New > Key, and name it ShellNew.

Right-click the new ShellNew folder, select New > String Value, and name it NullFile. Leave the value data empty.

Restart your computer or restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager.

4. Check for Menu Overload
Windows 11 limits the number of items in the "New" menu. If you have many third-party apps (like Google Drive, Photoshop, or CAD software) adding their own "New" options, the basic Text Document may be pushed out. Removing or disabling unused "New" items from other software can sometimes bring the Text Document option back.
Did this restore the option, or do you need the exact registry code to create a .reg file for an automatic fix?

antspants · Feb 27, 2026

raptorex said:
I only have Notepad++ and want it to open new txt file upon selecting the option from the right click context.

Hi.

The context menu, New txt file/document, will only create a txt file wherever you select that context entry. It behaves the same way with Notepad. It has never created a txt file then open it for editing with one action.

If all you want to do is open Notepad++ with a blank file, add Notepad++ to the taskbar and see if there is an option in Notepad++ to open with a new document, as apposed to opening where it left off.

raptorex · Feb 27, 2026

antspants said:
Hi.

The context menu, New txt file/document, will only create a txt file wherever you select that context entry. It behaves the same way with Notepad.
If all you want to do is open Notepad++ with a blank file, add Notepad++ to the taskbar and see if there is an option in Notepad++ to open with a new document, as apposed to opening where it left off.

I forgot to mention that I use the legacy context menu.

antspants · Feb 27, 2026

If you’re wanting an existing document “open with” or open a txt file in Notepad++ by default, change the default association for txt files (Notepad) to Notepad++

raptorex · Feb 27, 2026

antspants said:
If you’re wanting to an existing document “open with” or open a txt file in notepad by default, change the default association for txt files (Notepad) to Notepad++

No sir no "open with". Look at the pic I uploaded. I want to add 'new text' to right click context menu under "New" category

antspants · Feb 27, 2026

raptorex said:
I forgot to mention that I use the legacy context menu.

Doesn’t matter.

raptorex said:
No sir no "open with". Look at the pic I uploaded. I want to add 'new text' to right click context menu under "New" category

Looks like you removed it all on your own. Messing with the registry and unnecessarily removing apps. All you had to do is Install Notepad++ and associate it with txt files.

But again, having “New Notepad++ document” it’s no different to opening the app from the Taskbar. And even if you did have New Notepad++ document, I still believe it will simply create the document, not create/open for editing. That’s what file associations are for.

Edwin · Feb 27, 2026

Create your own...

antspants · Feb 27, 2026

Edwin said:
Create your own...

View attachment 164607

And that will create a new document then instantly open it in Notepad++??

What’s the default Notepad++ file, it’s txt isn’t it?
Should never have removed the entry in the first place.

Edwin · Feb 27, 2026

antspants said:
And that will create a new document then instantly open it in Notepad++??

It will open a new instance of Notepad++

antspants · Feb 27, 2026

Edwin said:
It will open a new instance of Notepad++

Bonus.

antspants · Feb 27, 2026

So, you open a location
You right click and select New Notepad++ document
It creates the file in that location
Then instantly opens it in Notepad++ ?

What were the reg entries, Edwin?

Edwin · Feb 27, 2026

antspants said:
What were the reg entries, mate?

Notepad++ is a bit weird too, gimme a few minutes.......

antspants · Feb 27, 2026

Edwin said:
Notepad++ is a bit weird too, gimme a few minutes.......

Yeah I found that also.

When I installed it before, in the install process you can check or uncheck the add to “Context Menu”.

After a reboot, the entry still wasn’t there.

Edwin · Feb 27, 2026

This is basically what it's going to do, but I have to figure out the particulars, mine's a bit convoluted...,
plus, I got stuff burning on the stove..., gimme a bit...

Skeptic Mike · Feb 27, 2026

If you simply want to add new text document to the new context menu, then the following registry file should work

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt\ShellNew]
"ItemName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,6e,00,6f,00,74,00,65,00,70,00,61,00,64,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,2c,00,2d,00,34,00,37,00,30,00,00,00
"NullFile"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfilelegacy]
@="Text Document"

You'll need to log off and back on again after adding the registry entries.

Edwin · Feb 27, 2026

Edwin said:
I have to figure out the particulars...

Okay, here's what I've got so far, I think it's a pretty good solution.
But, let me explain a bit...,
I've never liked the ShellNew entry cuz, who wants to create a blank text document on the Desktop then open it to work on it? You want a new instance right away, correct?
So..., if you simply want an entry to create a new working instance...

... then this is it...

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\New Notepad++ Document]
"Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Notepad++\\notepad++.exe\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\New Notepad++ Document\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Notepad++\\notepad++.exe\" -nosession -multiInst"

*Make sure your path to the exe is correct*
However...
as you know, Notepad saves your sessions by default, henceforth the -nosession -multiInst at the end.

The -nosession suffix will allow you to open a new single instance while you have a session open.
The -multiInst suffix will allow you that same new instance to open even if you have Multiple Instances disabled in Notepad++ Settings..., and disabled in Settings is so multiple instances can't be opened from the shortcut and screw up your saved sessions.

I chose Directory\Background\Shell so you can open an instance from wherever.

antspants · Feb 27, 2026

Edwin said:
Okay, here's what I've got so far, I think it's a pretty good solution.
But, let me explain a bit...,
I've never liked the ShellNew entry cuz, who wants to create a blank text document on the Desktop then open it to work on it? You want a new instance right away, correct?
So..., if you simply want an entry to create a new working instance...

View attachment 164611

... then this is it...

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\New Notepad++ Document] "Icon"="\"C:\\Program Files\\Notepad++\\notepad++.exe\"" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\background\shell\New Notepad++ Document\command] @="\"C:\\Program Files\\Notepad++\\notepad++.exe\" -nosession -multiInst"

However...
as you know, Notepad saves your sessions by default, henceforth the -nosession -multiInst at the end.

Nice, but one still has to save the document? So essentially it’s a start menu entry in the context menu? “Open Notepad++”

This is why I thought that associating txt files with Niotepad++ was simpler.
Right click
New txt Document
name it
Double click
opens in Notepad++ for editing.

I suppose the confusion is the OP asking to create a new Notepad++ document when all it is, is a txt file. If the OP is happy to have it that way, more power to them.

raptorex said:
I've been trying to add "New Text" option to right-click menu with Nopepad++

As apposed to

I've been trying to restore "New Text" option to right-click menu

As Skeptic Mike mentioned

Edwin · Feb 27, 2026

antspants said:
So essentially it’s a start menu entry in the context menu?

Not really. My Start Menu entry opens my default saved session. The right click context menu opens a new blank instance.

antspants said:
If the OP is happy to have it that way, more power to them.

Yup. Same amount of clicks either way!

Edwin · Feb 27, 2026

antspants said:
This is why I thought that associating txt files with Niotepad++ was simpler.

True dat! I just don't like the Notepad++ icon cuz it's fecking ugly!!! :zany:

Need help for adding a create new txt option to right-click context "New"

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