Windows 10: Stop Notepad from opening last file in Windows 11

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Want to stop Notepad from opening previously opened files? If you want to start over each time you launch Notepad anew, you can turn off the setting that makes Notepad restore previously opened files in Windows 11. With the recent version of Notepad on Windows 11, you can close Notepad without any interruptions from dialog […]

This article Stop Notepad from opening last file in Windows 11 first appeared on TheWindowsClub.com.

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Unable to open Notepad or MS Paint

I have a desktop PC with Windows 10. I use both Notepad and MS Paint frequently and they both recently stopped opening. Clicking the taskbar shortcuts to open them doesn't cause them to open; the mouse switches to the "loading" throbber, but reverts back after about a second without opening any windows. The same thing occurs when I locate the *.exe files in the system32 folder. There is no error message or change in state to screenshot.

The following descriptions say "Notepad," but in each case I have tried the steps for both MS Paint and Notepad, and I'm looking for help with both. Based on suggestions from around the internet I have tried:

1. running notepad as an administrator (both from the taskbar shortcut and by locating notepad.exe in the file explorer).
   
2. resetting the cache for the Windows store (using "WSReset.exe") and then running notepad.
   
3. uninstalling and then reinstalling notepad via Settings>Apps and features>Optional features.
   
4. restarting computer
   
5. updating computer and then restarting
   
6. uninstalling notepad, restarting, reinstalling notepad.
   

Windows specifications from Settings>System>About are:

Edition Windows 10 Home
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎1/‎16/‎2023
OS build 19045.2728
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0

 

How do I get Notepad to list recently opened Notepad files?

Today, right clicking on the Notepad icon on the taskbar has stopped giving a list of recently open Notepad files. This list is extremely useful to me. Is there any way to recover this feature ?

UPDATE: When I left click and right click several times, there intermittently appears the list of recently open Notepad files. But I don't have a reliable method for accessing this list. Grrr.

Will much appreciate help.

 

notepad file won't open

Right-click on the Notepad file and select "Properties."

Compare what you see to the first figure below:

1. What is the "Type of file" for your file?
2. What is shown for "Opens with" for your file?

Click "Cancel" to close the Properties window.

Right-click on the file again and this time select "Open with > Choose default program ..."

In the "Open with" window, select "Notepad" from the list of recommended programs, make sure that the box is marked next to "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" and click OK. See the second figure below.

If for some reason Notepad is not in the list of recommended programs, click the down arrow to the right of "Other Programs" and look for it there.