Make Notepad++ is your default Notepad windows

Notepad++ is a free (as in "free speech" and also as in "free beer") source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by GPL Licence.


Based on a powerful editing component Scintilla, Notepad++ is written in C++ and uses pure Win32 API and STL which ensures a higher execution speed and smaller program size. By optimizing as many routines as possible without losing user friendlyness, Notepad++ is trying to reduce the world carbon dioxide emissions. When using less CPU power, the PC can throttle down and reduce power consumption, resulting in a greener environment.

Notepad Replacement

Here's a little Notepad++ launcher which allows you to replace Notepad completely by Notepad++.

Installation Instruction:

* Backup your original Notepad.exe (we never know...).
* Copy notepad.exe which comes with this package into 4 directories (in given order) :
1. c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386
2. c:\windows\system32\dllcache
3. c:\windows\system32
4. c:\windows
When you replace notepad.exe in c:\windows\system32 and c:\windows, a "Windows File Protection" message box appears, click Cancel. Then another message box appears, click OK.
* Modify you registry (if you use installer to install your Notepad++, you don't need to do this step): Create key \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Notepad++, then add your Notepad++ full path as the default value of this key. In my case, it's C:\Program Files\Notepad++.

Now Notepad++ is your default Notepad.
Download Link : Notepad ++, Notepad Launcher