notepad replacer broken in win 11


infinity

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I'm using Notepad++ as my default app to edit all my coding files (js/ahk etc) and have always used Notepad Replacer to fix the linkage. However in Win 11, it defaults back to regular notepad instead.

Note I cannot just set default file associations because sometimes they need to be RUN instead of being edited in notepad++.
How do I fix that?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 3600
    Motherboard
    MSI B450 Tomahawk Max
    Memory
    GSkill RipJawz 16Gbx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX960
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    WD750 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    650w FSP
Right click the file you want to open with notepad++
Follow the order of the pics.
Make sure to leave the "Always use this app to open .*** files" Checked.
1.jpg
2.jpg
3.jpg 4.jpg 5.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 3600
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime X570-P
    Memory
    32gb DDR4 - 3200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 2060 Super KO 6GB PCIE 3.0
    Sound Card
    Realtek S1200A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1. LG 34UM68-P 34-Inch 21:9 UltraWide IPS 2. ONN 24-Inch LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1. 2560 x 1080 2. 1920 x 1080 (side by side 4480 x 1080)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SATA III SSD (OS)
    WD BLUE 2TB SATA III (DATA)
    WD BLUE 2TB SATA III (DATA)
    WD BLUE 1TB SATA III (DATA)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower PF1 750W
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF XB EVO
    Cooling
    Corsair 240mm AIO + 4x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Standard Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech M535
    Internet Speed
    Gigabit (Cable)
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
Hi, please see my original quote here:
Note I cannot just set default file associations because sometimes they need to be RUN instead of being edited in notepad++.
How do I fix that?

Doing this will always open in notepad. I only want Editing associations, not Open associations.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 3600
    Motherboard
    MSI B450 Tomahawk Max
    Memory
    GSkill RipJawz 16Gbx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX960
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    WD750 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    650w FSP
Can't you set the RUN association and let the Edit function reside (natively) in the right-click menu?

"By default the Notepad++ installer comes with a Shell extension. This is not really part of the Notepad++ program but very useful. If you choose to install it, then any file you rightclick on will show an entry named “Edit with Notepad++” with the Notepad++ icon.

Please note that to install or remove the extension, it sometimes is required to restart the Explorer process. For this you can reboot, logout and log back in or use the task manager to kill explorer (Windows NT and up) and restart it again. You can do this by hitting Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Del.

If the Shell extension is already installed, the Notepad++ installer cannot update or overwrite it, you first have to uninstall it and restart Explorer.

If you issue the install command for the dll, which is regsvr32 /i NppShell_01.dll, a dialog box will pop up from which various details of the behaviour of the extension can be tweaked. The trailing number will increase as versions go.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GBDDR4 @ 2666MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2442
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 500GB NVMe SSD, 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    250GB NVMe SSD (OS and programs), 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    500GB NVMe SSD (Data)
    Case
    Lenovo SFF
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome, sometimes Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium & Defender (working together beautifully!)
  • Operating System
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 @ 2600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FULL HD (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS NVMe; 1 x Samsung 980 NVMe SSD
    Case
    Lenovo Think Centre SFF
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium and MS Defender, beautiful together
Can't you set the RUN association and let the Edit function reside (natively) in the right-click menu?

"By default the Notepad++ installer comes with a Shell extension. This is not really part of the Notepad++ program but very useful. If you choose to install it, then any file you rightclick on will show an entry named “Edit with Notepad++” with the Notepad++ icon.

Please note that to install or remove the extension, it sometimes is required to restart the Explorer process. For this you can reboot, logout and log back in or use the task manager to kill explorer (Windows NT and up) and restart it again. You can do this by hitting Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Del.

If the Shell extension is already installed, the Notepad++ installer cannot update or overwrite it, you first have to uninstall it and restart Explorer.

If you issue the install command for the dll, which is regsvr32 /i NppShell_01.dll, a dialog box will pop up from which various details of the behaviour of the extension can be tweaked. The trailing number will increase as versions go.
totally forgot it had its own extension, im getting old
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 3600
    Motherboard
    ASUS Prime X570-P
    Memory
    32gb DDR4 - 3200Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 2060 Super KO 6GB PCIE 3.0
    Sound Card
    Realtek S1200A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1. LG 34UM68-P 34-Inch 21:9 UltraWide IPS 2. ONN 24-Inch LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1. 2560 x 1080 2. 1920 x 1080 (side by side 4480 x 1080)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SATA III SSD (OS)
    WD BLUE 2TB SATA III (DATA)
    WD BLUE 2TB SATA III (DATA)
    WD BLUE 1TB SATA III (DATA)
    PSU
    Thermaltake Toughpower PF1 750W
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF XB EVO
    Cooling
    Corsair 240mm AIO + 4x 120mm case fans
    Keyboard
    Standard Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech M535
    Internet Speed
    Gigabit (Cable)
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
Bofus, my friend. 'S okay.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GBDDR4 @ 2666MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2442
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 500GB NVMe SSD, 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    250GB NVMe SSD (OS and programs), 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    500GB NVMe SSD (Data)
    Case
    Lenovo SFF
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome, sometimes Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium & Defender (working together beautifully!)
  • Operating System
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 @ 2600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FULL HD (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS NVMe; 1 x Samsung 980 NVMe SSD
    Case
    Lenovo Think Centre SFF
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium and MS Defender, beautiful together
Can't you set the RUN association and let the Edit function reside (natively) in the right-click menu?

"By default the Notepad++ installer comes with a Shell extension. This is not really part of the Notepad++ program but very useful. If you choose to install it, then any file you rightclick on will show an entry named “Edit with Notepad++” with the Notepad++ icon.

Please note that to install or remove the extension, it sometimes is required to restart the Explorer process. For this you can reboot, logout and log back in or use the task manager to kill explorer (Windows NT and up) and restart it again. You can do this by hitting Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Del.

If the Shell extension is already installed, the Notepad++ installer cannot update or overwrite it, you first have to uninstall it and restart Explorer.

If you issue the install command for the dll, which is regsvr32 /i NppShell_01.dll, a dialog box will pop up from which various details of the behaviour of the extension can be tweaked. The trailing number will increase as versions go.
I know it exists, but that is still different from completely replacing notepad with notepad++. Which means when "notepad" is being used, I will always default to notepad++.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 3600
    Motherboard
    MSI B450 Tomahawk Max
    Memory
    GSkill RipJawz 16Gbx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX960
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    WD750 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    650w FSP
I seem to recall that way back when, we replaced the original notepad.exe with the Notepad++ executable somehow. That ring any bells? I don't suppose that's possible now. Dunno.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i7-9700 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GBDDR4 @ 2666MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG E2442
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS 500GB NVMe SSD, 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    250GB NVMe SSD (OS and programs), 1 x WD_BLACK SN770
    500GB NVMe SSD (Data)
    Case
    Lenovo SFF
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome, sometimes Firefox
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium & Defender (working together beautifully!)
  • Operating System
    11 Pro 23H2 22631.3374
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkCentre M920S SFF
    CPU
    i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo 3132
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 @ 2600MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel HD 630 Graphics onboard
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG FULL HD (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 x Samsung 970 EVO PLUS NVMe; 1 x Samsung 980 NVMe SSD
    Case
    Lenovo Think Centre SFF
    Mouse
    LogiTech M510 wireless
    Keyboard
    Cherry Stream TKL JK-8600US-2 Wired
    Internet Speed
    Fast (for fixed wireless!)
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium and MS Defender, beautiful together
It used to be easy to edit the registry to have an Open command using one app and a separate Edit command for editing the same file type in a different app.

It's gotten a lot harder to do so, but this link Changing Default File Associations in Windows 10 via GPO | Windows OS Hub has some really, really good information that might be helpful.

Make sure you make a backup before trying it, as it was written for Windows 10 and there is no real guarantee that it will work without errors in Windows 11. Alternately, the article also provides methods using group policy as well as using the registry, too, if you prefer to go that route.

Best of all, he also provides a method that allows you to reset it all in case something breaks.

This may or may not work for you - becuase it sounds like you've tried something similar (to at least one of hte methods outlined in the article) via the Notepad++ replacer utility, but WIndows 11 keeps reverting it to default. Instead of using the Notepad++ replacer utility, this will allow you to do it manually, which may allow you to have the settings actually stick in Windows 11.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 Current build
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HomeBrew
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
    Motherboard
    MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE
    Memory
    4 * 32 GB - Corsair Vengeance 3600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti XC3 ULTRA GAMING (12G-P5-3955-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC1220 Codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2x Eve Spectrum ES07D03 4K Gaming Monitor (Matte) | Eve Spectrum ES07DC9 4K Gaming Monitor (Glossy)
    Screen Resolution
    3x 3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    3x Samsung 980 Pro NVMe PCIe 4 M.2 2 TB SSD (MZ-V8P2T0B/AM) } 3x Sabrent Rocket NVMe 4.0 1 TB SSD (USB)
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling’s Silencer Series 1050 Watt, 80 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 XL Dark ATX Full Tower Case
    Cooling
    NZXT KRAKEN Z73 73.11 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (3x 120 mm push top) + Air 3x 140mm case fans (pull front) + 1x 120 mm (push back) and 1 x 120 mm (pull bottom)
    Keyboard
    SteelSeries Apex Pro Wired Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3S | MX Master 3 for Business
    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex Ftth
    Browser
    Nightly (default) + Firefox (stable), Chrome, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender + MB 5 Beta
  • Operating System
    ChromeOS Flex Dev Channel (current)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E5470
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6300U CPU @ 2.40GHz, 2501 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics 520
    Sound Card
    Intel(R) HD Graphics 520 + RealTek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell laptop display 15"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 * 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 128GB M.2 22300 drive
    INTEL Cherryville 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SATA III SSD
    PSU
    Dell
    Case
    Dell
    Cooling
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3S (shared w. Sys 1) | Dell TouchPad
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex Ftth
It's going to be way too complicated to filter all file associations, just create your own entries in the root shell.

000154.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
It used to be easy to edit the registry to have an Open command using one app and a separate Edit command for editing the same file type in a different app.

It's gotten a lot harder to do so, but this link Changing Default File Associations in Windows 10 via GPO | Windows OS Hub has some really, really good information that might be helpful.

Make sure you make a backup before trying it, as it was written for Windows 10 and there is no real guarantee that it will work without errors in Windows 11. Alternately, the article also provides methods using group policy as well as using the registry, too, if you prefer to go that route.

Best of all, he also provides a method that allows you to reset it all in case something breaks.

This may or may not work for you - becuase it sounds like you've tried something similar (to at least one of hte methods outlined in the article) via the Notepad++ replacer utility, but WIndows 11 keeps reverting it to default. Instead of using the Notepad++ replacer utility, this will allow you to do it manually, which may allow you to have the settings actually stick in Windows 11.
As I'm really afraid of breaking it, is there any 3ʳᵈ party utility (free or paid, doesn't matter) that can do this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 3600
    Motherboard
    MSI B450 Tomahawk Max
    Memory
    GSkill RipJawz 16Gbx2
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX960
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    WD750 SSD 1TB
    PSU
    650w FSP
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