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Notepad problems in Windows 10 usually fall into a few categories: the app will not open, it crashes when loading a file, text appears incorrectly, or Notepad has disappeared after an update. Start with the least disruptive fix—checking the app, repairing Windows system files, or reinstalling Notepad—before resetting Windows.
Note: Microsoft support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. The steps below remain useful on an existing Windows 10 installation, but menu names can vary slightly depending on whether you use the older inbox Notepad or the Microsoft Store version.
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1. Check whether Notepad is installed
Press the Windows key and type Notepad. Try opening it from the search results.
- If Notepad opens, the problem may be associated with a particular text file or file type.
- If Notepad does not appear, check Start > Windows Accessories > Notepad. On some Windows 10 builds, it may instead appear in the general app list.
- If you recently removed the Microsoft Store version, reinstall it from the Microsoft Store by searching for Windows Notepad.
To test whether a file is the problem, open Notepad first and then choose File > Open. If Notepad works with a small plain-text file but crashes with one particular file, that file may be extremely large, damaged, or encoded in a way the app handles poorly.
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2. Repair or reset the Store version of Notepad
If your Windows 10 installation provides Notepad as an installed app, use its app settings:
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Apps, then open Apps & features.
- Find Notepad in the list. Use the search box if necessary.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Repair.
Repair attempts to fix the app without removing its data. Open Notepad again after the process finishes.
If Repair does not help, return to the same screen and select Reset. Reset is more aggressive: it removes the app’s data and restores its settings. It does not reset Windows and does not delete your ordinary text files saved elsewhere, but unsaved content and app-specific settings should not be relied on after a reset.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Not every Windows 10 app exposes Advanced options, Repair, or Reset. If one of these controls is missing, continue with the system-file checks below.
3. Reinstall Notepad
For the Microsoft Store version, uninstalling and reinstalling is often more effective than repeatedly opening the app.
Uninstall from Settings
- Go to Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Select Notepad.
- Choose Uninstall, if the button is available.
- Restart Windows.
- Open the Microsoft Store, search for Windows Notepad, and select Get or Install.
Uninstall from Start
- Open Start and locate Notepad in the app list.
- Right-click Notepad.
- Select Uninstall.
Some built-in Windows components cannot be removed through these menus. If Uninstall is missing, do not remove unrelated Windows features or registry entries just to force it. Use Repair, Reset, Windows Update, or the system-file commands instead.
4. Run Windows Update
Notepad updates and Windows component fixes can arrive through Windows Update. Open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select Check for updates, and install available updates. Restart the PC even if Windows does not immediately require it.
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5. Repair damaged Windows system files
Use these commands if Notepad fails along with other Windows applications, Windows features behave strangely, or updates and app installation are also failing. They check Windows components rather than just Notepad.
- Search the taskbar for Command Prompt.
- Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
- Select Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
- Run the following command and wait for it to finish:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestorehealthThen run System File Checker:
sfc /scannowRun the commands separately and wait for sfc /scannow to reach 100 percent. Restart Windows afterward and test Notepad.
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DISM may take several minutes and can appear to pause. Do not close the Command Prompt window just because the percentage has not changed for a while. If SFC reports that it found and repaired corrupt files, restart before testing again.
6. Check the drive for file-system errors
If Windows is reporting disk errors, applications are losing files, or Notepad crashes while reading or saving files, check the system drive.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Approve the UAC prompt.
- Run:
chkdsk /f C:Because the system drive is in use, Windows may ask whether to schedule the check for the next restart. Type Y and restart if you agree. Back up important files first, especially if the drive is showing broader signs of failure.
7. Use the Windows compatibility troubleshooter
Windows 10 does not have a dedicated Notepad troubleshooter. If you installed an older executable or a replacement Notepad program, use the Program Compatibility troubleshooter instead:
- Open Get Help from the Start menu or taskbar search.
- Search for Run the Windows Program Compatibility troubleshooter.
- Follow the prompts and select the program experiencing the problem.
- Apply a suggested compatibility setting only if the test indicates it helps.
This troubleshooter is more useful for an older desktop program than for the standard Windows Notepad package. It will not repair a damaged text file or guarantee that a third-party Notepad replacement is safe to use.
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8. Fix common Notepad symptoms
| Symptom | What to try |
|---|---|
| Notepad opens and immediately closes | Repair or reset the app, then run DISM and SFC if other apps are affected. |
| Notepad crashes with one file | Open another text file. Copy the problem file first, then test a smaller copy or open it with another text editor. |
| Text displays as symbols | Use File > Open and choose the appropriate encoding when available. UTF-8 is usually the right choice for modern plain-text files. |
| Notepad is missing | Search the Microsoft Store for Windows Notepad and reinstall it, or check Windows Features and system files if you use an older Windows 10 build. |
| Double-clicking .txt files opens another program | Right-click a text file, choose Open with > Choose another app, select Notepad, and enable Always use this app to open .txt files. |
| Notepad cannot save a file | Try saving to Documents or the Desktop. A protected folder, invalid filename characters, read-only media, or insufficient permissions may be responsible. |
9. Use Windows recovery only as a last resort
If Notepad cannot be installed, removed, or repaired and Windows has several unrelated problems, Windows recovery may be necessary. Before using it, back up important files and make sure you have installation details for your applications.
Reset this PC is not the same as the Reset button in Notepad’s app settings. Reset this PC reinstalls Windows. The Keep my files option preserves personal files but removes applications and resets settings, so it still requires preparation.
On supported Windows 10 installations, open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and review the available recovery options. If the problem began after a recent change, System Restore may be preferable to a full reset.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Why is Notepad not listed in Windows 10 Apps & features?
Some Windows 10 builds treat Notepad as an older Windows component rather than a separately managed Store app. It may be listed under Windows Accessories, or it may require installation through the Microsoft Store. Missing Repair, Reset, or Uninstall controls depend on the app package and Windows build.
Can I repair Notepad without deleting my text files?
Yes. Repairing the app does not target text files saved in Documents, the Desktop, or another folder. Still, save or back up any unsaved work before using Reset or reinstalling the app.
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What is the difference between Reset Notepad and Reset this PC?
Reset Notepad restores that app and removes its app data. Reset this PC reinstalls Windows. The latter can remove installed programs and settings, although the Keep my files option is designed to preserve personal files.
Does Windows 10 have a Notepad troubleshooter?
No dedicated Notepad troubleshooter is normally listed. Get Help may offer the Windows Program Compatibility troubleshooter, but it is primarily intended for older desktop programs and will not directly repair every version of Notepad.
Why does Notepad open but show garbled text?
The file may use a different character encoding. Open it from Notepad’s File menu and select the encoding that matches the file, such as UTF-8 or Unicode. Avoid saving over the original until you have confirmed that the characters display correctly.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Bottom Line
For most Windows 10 Notepad failures, use this order: restart the PC, install pending updates, repair or reset Notepad if those controls exist, and reinstall the Microsoft Store version if necessary. If other Windows apps are also failing, run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth followed by sfc /scannow. Reserve disk checks and Reset this PC for wider or persistent system problems.
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