Open with Notepad - Context Menu option for all files

If you are like me then a lot of times you want to use notepad to quickly open and look at files. Some files you can choose the Open With > Notepad but not all file and particularly not for files with no extension. My solution is to add a context menu option "Open with Notepad" to all file types including files with no extension.

To do this you need to add the following keys to your registry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\opennotepad]
@="Open with Notepad"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\opennotepad\command]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\NOTEPAD.EXE %1"

 Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. I cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

If you are interested in customizing your context menu for specific file types then you can have a look at this msdn article.

Published Monday, April 11, 2005 7:55 PM by puzzlehacker
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Comments

# Open with Notepad Context Menu Registry Hack

Monday, April 11, 2005 9:01 PM by TrackBack

# Open with Notepad Context Menu Registry Hack

Monday, April 11, 2005 9:02 PM by TrackBack

# Re: Open with Notepad - Context Menu option for all files

Or you could use TextPad which does this when it installs :)

Monday, April 11, 2005 9:08 PM by Christopher

# re: Open with Notepad - Context Menu option for all files

I suppose that is true Chris but I don't use TextPad, I use notepad2. (Plus I wanted a reason to figure out how to modify my context menu via the registry) ;)

Monday, April 11, 2005 9:15 PM by Wes Haggard

# re: Open with Notepad - Context Menu option for all files

I always put a Notepad shortcut in my "Send To" folder.

Monday, April 11, 2005 9:37 PM by Jason

# Endlich gefunden, ohne zu suchen

Geschafft :-) Seit dem ich Notepad2 auf meiner Kiste haben, suche ich nach einem Weg alle Dateien einfach...

Tuesday, April 12, 2005 3:17 AM by TrackBack

# re: Open with Notepad - Context Menu option for all files

I also just drop a shortcut in my SendTo folder, but I name the shortcut

0Notepad

so it always shows right at the top.

Tuesday, April 12, 2005 9:41 AM by Bob

# Open with Notepad - Context Menu option for all files

Thursday, April 14, 2005 6:38 PM by TrackBack

# Random Thoughts in Scattered Posts » Blog Archive » “Open with Notepad” for all file types

# Windows: Top right click context menu hacks | Hackosis

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Monday, October 08, 2007 7:53 PM by Windows: Top right click context menu hacks | Hackosis

# re: Open with Notepad - Context Menu option for all files

I applied this hack a while ago and it worked great. However it has stopped working now for some reason. I checked the registry and all the keys and values are still there. What could be the cause?

Sunday, January 27, 2008 2:41 AM by Sigam

# Open with UE Studio - Context Menu option for all files at My Galagzee!

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# [For Windows User Only] It’s all in your registry… :D « keep dreaming…

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