The Notepad in Windows 11 is no longer a bare-bone note-taking app. Microsoft has added multiple features so that users can make the most out of the built-in Notepad app instead of looking for third-party apps.
To start with, Notepad in Windows 11 supports dark mode and much-requested tabs. In addition, it automatically saves sessions. The ability to open previous notes by default when you launch the Notepad app is also one of the new features added to it. Over and above these new features, the Notepad in Windows 11 also gets spelling check and autocorrect features very soon.
The Notepad in Windows 11 is quite impressive, at least for users who have been using it for a long time. That said, there are many users who love the legacy Notepad app that did not have all these features.
If you are also one of those Windows 11 users who love the old Notepad over the new one, you will be happy to know that you can install and use the old Notepad in Windows 11 without the help of third-party tools.
Install and open old Notepad in Windows 11
IMPORTANT: Please note that we need to uninstall the new Notepad app to be able to open and use the old Notepad. So, you cannot use the new and old Notepad together. That said, you can install the new Notepad app from the Microsoft Store whenever you want.
Step 1: Open Windows 11 Settings using search or Windows logo + I hotkey.
Step 2: Go to Apps > Installed apps page to see a list of all installed apps, including Notepad.
Step 3: Click the dots next to the Notepad entry and then click Uninstall.
Step 4: When asked for confirmation, click the Uninstall button again to uninstall and remove the new Notepad app from Windows 11.
Step 5: Simultaneously press the Windows logo + R keys to open the Run command box. Type Notepad.exe in the field and then press the Enter key. Voila! It will launch the legacy Notepad now.
Now, in case Windows 11 fails to launch the old Notepad, you can install the legacy Notepad by following the steps below.
Install legacy Notepad in Windows 11
Step 1: In the Windows 11 Settings app, navigate to System > Optional features page.
Step 2: On this page, click the View features button next to Add an optional feature.
Step 3: In the list, look for the Notepad entry (you can use the search field), select Notepad and then click the Next button.
Step 4: Finally, click the Add button to install the legacy Notepad app. Remember that Windows 11 might take a few minutes to install the old Notepad app.
You may now launch the old Notepad by typing Notepad.exe in the Start or Run command box and then hitting the Enter key. By the way, do not forget to uninstall the new Notepad app (using the directions mentioned above) before trying the launch the old Notepad app. If you try to launch the old Notepad app without uninstalling the new Notepad app, the old will automatically redirect to the new Notepad app and will open the new Notepad instead of the old Notepad.
Watt says
Thanks for this information.
Follow-up question: Where is the old Notepad app in C:? When I double-click on a .txt file in Explorer (after having uninstalled the new version of Notepad), it suggests various apps to open the file, but not (old) Notepad. I can’t find it on the C drive. Your Run method works, but I still need to coordinate .txt files with old Notepad.