File Explorer: "New >" menu doesn't include "New Text Document" - how do I fix?

Anonymous
2019-06-05T01:07:49+00:00

ISSUE: Despite the registry being set up correctly (as far as I can tell), the "New >" or "New Item >" menu in File Explorer doesn't have the option for me to create a new plain text file.

First, please note that I've already read the following question and its answer:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/adding-an-app-to-new-item-in-file-explorer/3d5700f5-9a69-419d-ad0d-d7a0fe91e79a

The second half isn't accurate as C:\Windows\ShellNew doesn't exist, but even upon following its steps it doesn't help. More importantly, unless i'm missing something I shouldn't have to do this for .txt files!

I checked to ensure that .txt already has the right registry entry components and it seems to be correct:

So can anyone tell me why it isn't showing up in the New Item menu, and how to fix it?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2019-06-06T00:38:09+00:00

Further testing has shown that HKCR\Notepad++_file is created when you register the .txt extension via Notepad++ -> Settings-> Preferences... -> File Association. Here's an export of that key:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Notepad++_file]

@="Notepad++ Document"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Notepad++_file\DefaultIcon]

@=""C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe",0"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Notepad++_file\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Notepad++_file\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Notepad++_file\shell\open\command]

@=""C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe" "%1""

Note that exported registy strings have escaped quotes (") and escaped backslashes (\). If you create the key directly through regedit, the command value is:

"C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe" "%1"

Keith

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-06-05T16:20:16+00:00

    This pretty much confirms after a fresh reinstall of the OS, that something you have installed is interfering.

    First suspect is a shell extension so tackle that here: https://www.winhelponline.com/xp/slowrightclick...

    Next suspect is a freeloader starting with Windows. Turn off all Startups except Windows itself from Step 4 of this checklist to get all locations where they hide: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

    If those don't help then I would Clean Install which should get you past all difficulties as it has millions of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

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