How to Open Notepad in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 14, 2025

Notepad has been around since the very early days of Windows, and it’s still one of the simplest and most useful apps out there. Whether you’re jotting down quick notes, editing a text file, or even writing code, Notepad on Windows 11 is your go-to lightweight text editor.

But with Windows 11’s redesigned interface, you might be wondering, “Where did Notepad go, and how do I open it?” Don’t worry — it’s still there, and in this article, I’ll walk you through every possible way to open Notepad in Windows 11, step by step.

Why Use Notepad in Windows 11?

Before we get into the methods, let’s quickly talk about why Notepad is still relevant today:

  • Lightweight & Fast – Opens almost instantly

  • No Distractions – Simple interface focused only on text

  • Universal Compatibility – Works with .txt, .log, .bat, and more

  • Great for Coding & Scripts – Developers often use it for quick edits

Think of Notepad as your digital scratchpad — simple, reliable, and always ready.

Method 1: Open Notepad Using the Start Menu

The easiest and most common way to open Notepad.

Step 1: Click the Start Button

Click the Start menu (Windows icon) on your taskbar.

Step 2: Search for Notepad

Type Notepad into the search bar, and you’ll see the Notepad app appear in the results.

Step 3: Launch It

Click on the Notepad app to open it. Done!

Method 2: Open Notepad with Run Command

If you like keyboard shortcuts, this method is for you.

Step 1: Open Run Dialog

Press Windows + R on your keyboard.

Step 2: Type Notepad

Type notepad and press Enter.

Your Notepad window will open immediately.

Method 3: Open Notepad from Command Prompt

Command-line fans will love this option.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

  • Press Windows + S, type cmd, and press Enter

Step 2: Launch Notepad

In the Command Prompt window, type:

notepad

Press Enter, and Notepad will open.

Method 4: Open Notepad from Windows PowerShell or Terminal

Windows 11 uses Windows Terminal by default, but you can still open Notepad easily.

Step 1: Open Windows Terminal

  • Press Windows + X

  • Select Terminal (Admin) or Windows PowerShell

Step 2: Type the Command

Just type notepad and hit Enter.

Method 5: Open Notepad from File Explorer

You can also launch Notepad directly from File Explorer.

Step 1: Open File Explorer

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Use the Address Bar

Click the address bar, type notepad, and press Enter — Notepad will open.

Method 6: Create a Desktop Shortcut for Notepad

If you use Notepad frequently, a desktop shortcut can save time.

Step 1: Right-Click Desktop

Right-click an empty area on your desktop and select New > Shortcut.

Step 2: Enter Location

In the location field, type:

notepad.exe

Click Next, name it “Notepad,” and hit Finish.

Now you can double-click the shortcut anytime.

Method 7: Pin Notepad to Taskbar or Start Menu

Want even quicker access? Pin Notepad so it’s always one click away.

How to Pin to Start Menu

  1. Search for Notepad in the Start menu

  2. Right-click on it

  3. Choose Pin to Start

How to Pin to Taskbar

  1. Search for Notepad

  2. Right-click on it

  3. Select Pin to Taskbar

Now it will stay visible even when other windows are open.

Method 8: Open Notepad from Context Menu (Right-Click)

This is useful when you want to create a new text file instantly.

Steps:

  1. Right-click on your desktop or inside a folder

  2. Select New > Text Document

  3. Double-click the new file — it opens in Notepad

Method 9: Open Notepad with a Keyboard Shortcut

You can even create your own custom keyboard shortcut to launch Notepad.

How to Do It:

  1. Create a Notepad shortcut on your desktop (see Method 6)

  2. Right-click the shortcut > Properties

  3. In the Shortcut Key field, set a key combination (e.g., Ctrl + Alt + N)

  4. Click Apply

Now press your shortcut anytime to open Notepad.

Method 10: Open Notepad from Task Manager

If your PC is acting up and you can’t access the Start menu, try Task Manager.

Steps:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager

  2. Click File > Run new task

  3. Type notepad and press Enter

Bonus: Open Multiple Notepad Windows

Need several notes at once? Just open Notepad again using any method above — Windows 11 allows multiple instances of Notepad to run simultaneously.

Troubleshooting: Notepad Missing in Windows 11

If you can’t find Notepad, it may have been uninstalled (rare, but possible).

How to Reinstall Notepad:

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Optional Features

  2. Click View features

  3. Search for Notepad and reinstall it

Why Notepad is Still Relevant in 2025

Even with fancier editors like Notepad++, VS Code, or WordPad available, Notepad stays relevant because:

  • It’s fast and minimal

  • Perfect for quick edits and notes

  • Requires no learning curve

Sometimes, simple tools just work best.

Final Thoughts

Opening Notepad in Windows 11 is easier than ever — and as you can see, there are many different ways to do it. Whether you prefer the Start menu, Run command, Command Prompt, or even a custom shortcut, you can pick the method that works best for your workflow.

Notepad might be one of the simplest apps on your PC, but it’s also one of the most versatile.

FAQs

1. Is Notepad pre-installed in Windows 11?
Yes, but if it’s missing, you can reinstall it from Optional Features.

2. Can I open Notepad as an administrator?
Yes — search for Notepad in Start menu, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.

3. Does Notepad support dark mode in Windows 11?
Yes! Notepad now supports light and dark themes — switch in Settings > Personalization > Colors.

4. Can I use Notepad for coding?
Absolutely. It supports plain text editing and is commonly used for quick code snippets.

5. Is there a keyboard shortcut to open Notepad by default?
No, but you can create one manually (see Method 9 above).

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