I need to make Notepad++ as my default Notepad. I tried to follow the below instructions but I can't find some folders on Windows XP enviroment.
Instructions on the Readme.txt
Installation Instruction :
* Backup your original Notepad.exe (we never know...).
* Copy notepad.exe which comes with this package into 3 directories (in given order) :
1. c:\windows\system32\dllcache
2. c:\windows\system32
3. 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. Enjoy.
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C:\windows\system32\dllcache is a hidden operating system directory. You can enter it directly into the address bar of Windows Explorer and it will then appear. I don't know why this is not mentioned, unless the original instructions came from a user that keeps system files and directories visible (see below).
I also agree with the recommendation that you do backup the original notepad.exe. I suggest renaming C:\Windows\notepad.exe to something like "notepadOrig.exe". This will allow you to undo your changes if you later change your mind, or if you just want to use the original Notepad from time to time.
There are ways to make hidden operating system files and directories appear, by opening the Folder Options dialog (Tools > Folder Options...), selecting View tab and then checking "Show hidden files" and unchecking "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)". If you uncheck the latter, I recommend that you do so only temporarily. --Joel
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Doesn't work for me. Windows File Protections won't bring forward a message box - it's just doing it's job quitely. The notepad++ file as 'notepad.exe' will be replaced by the original notepad.exe almost instantly.
Any ideas?
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Well, I don't do this for Notepad++, but I've done this for other programs.
Are you on Windows XP? Windows Vista has a lot more protection built into it to keep you from changing it. If you are using Vista, I don't have an answer for you.
If you are using XP, are you following the order given in the original message and changing Notepad.exe in C:\Windows\system32\dllcache first? For me, the secret is changing the backup file first.
You might need administrator rights in order to replace the file in the dllcache and other Windows directories. As a test, you might just rename that notepad.exe file to something else, as I've recommended previously. This would mean that there is NO notepad.exe file in the dllcache directory. THEN overwrite the original notepad.exe in C:\Windows\system32 and C:\Windows, in that order.
Are you using the special "notepad.exe" file that starts Notepad++? You should not use Notepad++.exe itself to directly replace notepad.exe.
If the original order isn't working for you, and this doesn't work for you, then maybe there is something special about your Windows installation. For example, a custom OEM box like a Dell or HP PC might have a different file restore scheme. --Joel
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
For making Notepad++ the default text viewer, I.... well, I don't do much for it at all: just use the File Associations in Options or Preferences and set .txt to Notepad++. No need to make a hassle of it.
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Hello,
I need to make Notepad++ as my default Notepad. I tried to follow the below instructions but I can't find some folders on Windows XP enviroment.
Instructions on the Readme.txt
Installation Instruction :
* Backup your original Notepad.exe (we never know...).
* Copy notepad.exe which comes with this package into 3 directories (in given order) :
1. c:\windows\system32\dllcache
2. c:\windows\system32
3. 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. Enjoy.
Hello,
Can someone help me pleae...
C:\windows\system32\dllcache is a hidden operating system directory. You can enter it directly into the address bar of Windows Explorer and it will then appear. I don't know why this is not mentioned, unless the original instructions came from a user that keeps system files and directories visible (see below).
I also agree with the recommendation that you do backup the original notepad.exe. I suggest renaming C:\Windows\notepad.exe to something like "notepadOrig.exe". This will allow you to undo your changes if you later change your mind, or if you just want to use the original Notepad from time to time.
There are ways to make hidden operating system files and directories appear, by opening the Folder Options dialog (Tools > Folder Options...), selecting View tab and then checking "Show hidden files" and unchecking "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)". If you uncheck the latter, I recommend that you do so only temporarily. --Joel
Thanks,
it works fine :)
Doesn't work for me. Windows File Protections won't bring forward a message box - it's just doing it's job quitely. The notepad++ file as 'notepad.exe' will be replaced by the original notepad.exe almost instantly.
Any ideas?
Well, I don't do this for Notepad++, but I've done this for other programs.
Are you on Windows XP? Windows Vista has a lot more protection built into it to keep you from changing it. If you are using Vista, I don't have an answer for you.
If you are using XP, are you following the order given in the original message and changing Notepad.exe in C:\Windows\system32\dllcache first? For me, the secret is changing the backup file first.
You might need administrator rights in order to replace the file in the dllcache and other Windows directories. As a test, you might just rename that notepad.exe file to something else, as I've recommended previously. This would mean that there is NO notepad.exe file in the dllcache directory. THEN overwrite the original notepad.exe in C:\Windows\system32 and C:\Windows, in that order.
Are you using the special "notepad.exe" file that starts Notepad++? You should not use Notepad++.exe itself to directly replace notepad.exe.
If the original order isn't working for you, and this doesn't work for you, then maybe there is something special about your Windows installation. For example, a custom OEM box like a Dell or HP PC might have a different file restore scheme. --Joel
For making Notepad++ the default text viewer, I.... well, I don't do much for it at all: just use the File Associations in Options or Preferences and set .txt to Notepad++. No need to make a hassle of it.
That would be nice. But, it keeps reverting back to notepad.exe instead of notepad++.exe
I love Bill Gates. Him and his crew are 1337 !!!