How do I replace Notepad in Windows 7?

Question

I use Notepad2. I love Notepad2.

How do I replace Notepad with Notepad2 in Windows 7, so I never use the old version of Notepad again?

Answer 1

Oh, why, of course: Notepad Replacer.

Answer 2

Use the Notepad2 Modifications installer. It works on 32 bit and 64 bit.

This Notepad++ wiki page also has a step-by-step guide for Windows XP and Windows Vista which also works on Windows 7.

Answer 3

If you want to make sure you are using Notepad2, go to a file that you would typically use Notepad2 for and right click > properties. Then where it says "opens with", select change and select Notepad2.

Answer 4

As of this post's date, the recommended approach to replace Notepad with Notepad2 on Windows 7 is best described here.

Answer 5

Rename notepad.exe to oldpad.exe and a copy or symbolic link of your replacement to notepad.exe

Answer 6

Just thought I'd throw one into the mix. It's based on the original notepad2 installer script which worked well in Vista. I found it on this forum post.

@echo off
TITLE Notepad2 Install Script for Complete Windows Vista and 7 Notepad Replacement
echo.
echo Notepad2 Install Script for Complete Windows Vista and 7 Notepad Replacement
echo Version 1.2
echo.
echo (c) My Digital Life (www.mydigitallife.info)
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo Confirm to apply? (Press Ctrl-C and answer Y to terminate)
pause
echo.
echo.

if exist %Systemroot%\notepad.original.exe goto exist_notepad2_already
if exist %Systemroot%\System32\notepad.original.exe goto exist_notepad2_already
takeown /f %Systemroot%\notepad.exe
takeown /f %Systemroot%\System32\notepad.exe
icacls %Systemroot%\notepad.exe /grant "%username%":f
icacls %Systemroot%\System32\notepad.exe /grant "%username%":f
IF EXIST %SYSTEMROOT%\SysWOW64 (bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions    "DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS")
copy %Systemroot%\notepad.exe %Systemroot%\notepad.original.exe
copy %Systemroot%\System32\notepad.exe %Systemroot%\System32\notepad.original.exe  
echo.
echo Original notepad.exe has been renamed to "notepad.original.exe" in its original folder.
echo.
copy %~dp0\notepad2.exe %Systemroot%\notepad.exe /y
copy %~dp0\notepad2.exe %systemroot%\System32\notepad.exe /y
echo.
echo Notepad2 installation is completed. 
echo If no error occurred, Notepad2 will now replace all Notepad functions.
echo.
pause
exit

:exist_notepad2_already
echo.
echo INSTALLED NOTEPAD2  ALREADY!.
echo.
pause
exit