Notepad is broken/missing

Question

I'm not exactly sure when this occurred, but it was sometime within the last 2 weeks. I am currently on build 22622.586, but I think this happened a few days before that upgrade came in.

When I double click on a .txt file in File Explorer, I get a message saying Windows cannot find 'C:\Users\blah\Desktop\file.txt'. Make sure you've typed the name correctly, then try again." Even though the file is right there, and I am not looking at a shortcut under Recents or anything like that.

Again, if I press WIN+R to get the Run prompt up and type notepad, as I have done for many years, I get Windows cannot find 'C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe'. Make sure you've typed the name correctly, then try again.

I've searched the web for a resolution, tried installing Windows Notepad from the Microsoft Store, restarting, uninstalling it. If I go into Settings > Apps > Optional Features then I can see "Notepad (system)" is installed, which describes itself as the classic system notepad - the exact one I am after.

When I do have Windows Notepad installed, I click Start and type "notepad", and I can see it as below, but clicking on Notepad does nothing. I can click all day but nothing launches.

Has anyone ever seen this happen, or know how I can restore the original system notepad?

Answer 1

Hello Bonez56,

Glad to see you in Microsoft Community.

Let me help you troubleshoot Notepad not working properly.

Firstly, did you have any special operations before this exception occurs? Such as installing Windows updates or hardware changes, etc. If there is, please describe it in detail, or take a screenshot, and only send the relevant information without PII in the next reply.

And here are my tips for you.

1. Reinstall Notepad

Win + I to open Windows Settings > Apps > Optional features*, enter "notepad" in the search box under Installed features. Then click "Notepad(system)" > "Uninstall" in the search results, restart the system and enter the same interface, click "Add a feature", enter "notepad" in the search box, and then check "Notepad" in the search results, and then click Install.*

2. Repair possible corrupted system files

Run the following commands to fix possible corrupted system files. Run Command Prompt as an administrator ("Win" logo key + "Q", enter "cmd", select "Run as administrator"), and enter the following commands one by one. These commands require network support, please keep your network stable and smooth.

sfc /scannow 

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

for %i in (%windir%\\system32\\*.dll) do regsvr32.exe /s %i

chkdsk C: /f

Disclaimer*: Running* chkdsk can check the file system and file system metadata of a volume for logical and physical errors. To avoid any trouble for you, please follow them step-by-step, do not cancel or interrupt chkdsk*, and back up important data. For more information please refer to this* chkdsk article.

3. Clean boot

I noticed that you have installed Notepad++. The same type of apps may cause unexpected conflicts, so you can perform a clean boot, this is a mode of disabling third-party services or software, which could help rule out the interference of these elements.

Disclaimer*: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.*<br><br>These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by-step so that it will help you get you back on track.

If anything is unclear, please feel free to leave your messages here.

Best Regards,

Mosken_L - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Hi Mosken_L,

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately none of that worked.
I have a feeling it might be Kaspersky Total Security that might be interfering with it, however even when I completely disable protection, it still doesn't allow me to launch. I can see that it added the new Windows Notepad (Installed in C:\Program Files\WindowsApps) to the 'restricted applications' group, and I can't quickly see a way to modify that group. I will get in touch with Kaspersky.

However with Kaspersky protection totally disabled, I still get this:

C:\Windows\System32>dir notepad.exe

Volume in drive C has no label.

Volume Serial Number is 6CB4-4276

Directory of C:\Windows\System32

07/05/2022 04:06 AM 360,448 notepad.exe

           1 File(s)        360,448 bytes 

           0 Dir(s)  186,118,828,032 bytes free 

C:\Windows\System32>notepad.exe

The system cannot find the file C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe.

Answer 3

Hi Mosken_L,,

Happens when you put C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe in search does it not find it?

You could try methods from here to re-install Notpad using CMD admin or PowerShell admin

How To Reinstall Notepad In Windows 11 - Itechguides.com

Sorry the above picture is from Windows 10 so the icon is different.

Answer 4

I didn't specifically try that, but as mentioned I did try typing Notepad into search but when clicking on it nothing happened.

I sat down last night and again booted Windows into a clean state and experimented further. I'm happy to say that my issue is now resolved.

I removed all traces of Notepad, both the Windows Store and system versions, but restarted the PC in between each one.

Once I had no Notepad.exe at all anywhere on my system, I installed Notepad (system) from optional features and then immediately restarted. The first time I opened up Notepad, it had a screen full of garbage text with a banner at the top telling me that a new version of Notepad was available.

After clicking the X and opening a new blank text document, it is now completely back to normal and functioning just fine.

Answer 5

Great you got it fixed and thanks for letting us know