Microsoft : Classic Notepad on Windows 11

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I have spent too much time today, faffing with Windows 11 instead of playing with the Raspberry Pi Pico … Grrr!!

The beloved Notepad has been “modernised” and is now a fully-featured AI-assisted monster.

Mercifully, the Classic version is still accessible [although I would probably never have guessed how]

Very simple instructions are provided here:

https://windowsforum.com/threads/restore-classic-notepad-on-windows-11-alongside-the-ai-enhanced-editor.379422/

Happy 2026

MichaelG.

 

 

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

I use Notepad++ (https://notepad-plus-plus.org/) these days, which is freeware and will do the very basic stuff as per Classic Notepad, but will also cope with more advanced functions e.g. when writing code or searching and replacing, etc.

No AI that I have found.

Rob

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I have viewed a few things in Notepad by default but not opened it empty until your prompt. I did get thrown by it opening something from a year or so ago itself and having tabs for lots of recent files but nothing frightening. There was a gizmo for copilot that I didn’t try so maybe that was what attacked you. I did find a settings cog top right and that had the ability to turn off copilot – problem now gone for me.

The critical thing is that it doesn’t add a load of invisible crap to the file like wordprocessors do.

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

I find Geany to be a useful programmers text editor. Is free and available for most operating systems. Geany Download Page.

Doesn’t add anything but will show the correct context for most programming languages including colour coding and insetting etc.

John

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

This was recommended to me as a way of removing some of the ‘features’ that Microsoft think that a Windows 11 user should have, I opted to run it with the default settings and its removed lots of annoyances (like CoPilot).

It just works.

From the programme creator’s info page
What’s Crapfixer?
It’s a small, retro-style app inspired by classics like CCleaner but with a twist: it doesn’t clean… it fixes!
Think of it as a fun little system tweaker for Windows 11. It helps you customize all kinds of stuff including things you usually see (and don’t see) during OOBE and beyond

https://github.com/builtbybel/CrapFixer/releases/tag/1.11.71

Seasons Greetings!
Ian P

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Time for some seasonal trivia!

• Notepad and Notepad++ are from different stables, the products aren’t related.
• Notepad is Microsoft, and in ye olden days was too simple for serious work.  May have improved since I last tried it.
• NotePad++ is a programming editor, much better for writing code than Notepad, except there’s more to learn!
• Notepad++ and Geany are both based on Scintilla.  Similar capabilities: editors suitable for small and medium sized programming projects without the programmer having to learn a full-blown Integrated Development Environment.
• I use Geany because it runs on Linux and Windows (and MacOS), whereas Notepad++ is for Windows.
• AI is appearing in most development tools, because it kicks bottom! But, frankly, I don’t trust Microsoft at all…

Dave

[peak4Participant @peak4]

A little more topic drift; whist Michael was experimenting with Notepad, I was trying to get Windows 11 widgets to open in my default browser (Opera) rather than Microsoft Edge.
I tried as per this page, but I wonder if the UK isn’t classed as part of the EEA by Microsoft, as I couldn’t get anything to work at all, even by using an EU VPN address.
https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/07/30/widget-news-and-weather-in-windows-11-now-opens-in-the-default-browser/

A little further reading led to here; a re-direct program, which I downloaded & installed.
Widgets now open in Opera, so maybe I’ll get around to exploring them.

https://github.com/rcmaehl/MSEdgeRedirect/releases

Bill

[SillyOldDuffer]

On SillyOldDuffer Said:

Time for some seasonal trivia!

• Notepad and Notepad++ are from different stables, the products aren’t related.
• Notepad is Microsoft, and in ye olden days was too simple for serious work.  May have improved since I last tried it.
• NotePad++ is a programming editor, much better for writing code than Notepad, except there’s more to learn!
• Notepad++ and Geany are both based on Scintilla.  Similar capabilities: editors suitable for small and medium sized programming projects without the programmer having to learn a full-blown Integrated Development Environment.
• I use Geany because it runs on Linux and Windows (and MacOS), whereas Notepad++ is for Windows.
• AI is appearing in most development tools, because it kicks bottom! But, frankly, I don’t trust Microsoft at all…

Dave

 

[my emboldening]

Thanks for the comments, Dave [and others]

The point is, I wasn’t looking for a “better” product … I simply wanted to retain access to the trivial little note-making facility that the appropriately-named ‘Notepad’ has always provided.

I’m happy to have found that easy fix.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: I have no idea why the bulleted list in my quotation of Dave’s post is presented in that ghastly font.

[Alan JacksonParticipant @alanjackson47790]

Hi Michael,

My computer went wrong and I could not fix it, so I went to a local Mr fixit and he fixed it up. He also (with good intentions) loaded win 11 on my machine instead of my much preferred win 10. I have since found this program recommended in Computer Active mag. I downloaded it and applied its recommendations, and it now seems I have a Win 10 version of Win 11 a win all round. With no copilot etc.

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

Happy  Christmas to everybody

Alan

[Michael Gilligan]

On Michael Gilligan Said:

On SillyOldDuffer Said:

Time for some seasonal trivia!

• …

Dave

 

[my emboldening]

…

The point is, I wasn’t looking for a “better” product … I simply wanted to retain access to the trivial little note-making facility that the appropriately-named ‘Notepad’ has always provided.

I’m happy to have found that easy fix….

.

…

I’m fond of Notepad because it’s always been available on all Windows systems.   No need to pratt around looking for an editor just to so a simple edit,  or – even worse – having to install one.   Making it hard to find its yet another obnoxious change from Microsoft.  I wonder how long old Notepad will be hidden before Microsoft finally remove it: not long maybe – obsolete software tends to be left out at major upgrade points.

Pity, because all operating systems need a simple editor.  Nano is often recommended for changing delicate Linux system files. Too slow and clunky when productivity matters but it’s almost idiot proof!   As when cats jump on the keyboard…

🙂

Dave

 

 

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

I was already PC user when Windows One was first introduced and apart from a brief foray into Apple kit, I have used most versions of Windows ever since, however its only in the last couple of years (when I changed to Windows 11) that I’ve used Notepad. It has just enough features without being clutters or bloated

I now find it invaluable using as a notepad!

Ian P

[Author]

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