Replace Notepad.EXE in Win7

[TonyLock]

I have my own version of Notepad that I like, called NotepadEx (http://notepadex.cjb.net/).

I'd like to replace the one that comes with Windows 7, but windows doesn't allow me to do that.

Is there a way to stop Windows from preventing this action file overwrite lock, just for this one action?

[Soldiers33]

yes its called take ownership enabler. I dont have the link to it but heres the file.

All you do is add it to the registry then simply right click notepad.exe and select take ownership, this should let you replace it.

Taking_Ownership.zip

[TonyLock]

Thanks but I don't see the "take ownership" menu item.

Also, every time I try to run NotepadEx, Windows pops up a stupid UAC alert. While UAC alerts are important, how do I stop it for this application?

[hdood]

I believe Notepad is under Windows File Protection. Why do you have to replace it though? I don't get it. Can't you just set NotepadEx as the default editor for the file types you want?

As for UAC, you shouldn't get an elevation prompt unless it's demanding to run as administrator for some reason. Are you maybe thinking of the Explorer warning that it's from an untrusted source?

[XerXis]

Thanks but I don't see the "take ownership" menu item.

Also, every time I try to run NotepadEx, Windows pops up a stupid UAC alert. While UAC alerts are important, how do I stop it for this application?

if you get an UAC popup everytime you run a program it means that program is badly written (writing log entries to a forbidden area for example). Find another program like notepad++ ;)

Now, to override a WFP (windows file protection) file you need to have trusted installer rights...

[null_]

I'd recommend simply setting a few values in the registry to take care of this:

- Open the Registry Editor

- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths

- Create a new key called "notepad.exe" or "npex.exe" (whatever you want to call it, really)

- Set the (Default) string value to the full path of the executable - e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\App\Program.exe

- Create a new string value and name it Path

- Modify the Path string value to point to the directory containing the executable - e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\App\

Close the registry, open the Start menu or hit WinKey+R and type in the name of the key you created earlier, such as npex.exe. It should then allow you to launch the application (this will also work for substituting notepad.exe without overwriting it).

[svnO.o]

I'd recommend simply setting a few values in the registry to take care of this:

- Open the Registry Editor

- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths

- Create a new key called "notepad.exe" or "npex.exe" (whatever you want to call it, really)

- Set the (Default) string value to the full path of the executable - e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\App\Program.exe

- Create a new string value and name it Path

- Modify the Path string value to point to the directory containing the executable - e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\App\

Close the registry, open the Start menu or hit WinKey+R and type in the name of the key you created earlier, such as npex.exe. It should then allow you to launch the application (this will also work for substituting notepad.exe without overwriting it).

Useful tip. Thanks.

[Emon]

try this:

http://code.kliu.org/misc/notepad2/

Replacing Windows Notepad with Notepad2

Replacing Windows Notepad with Notepad2 can be a little tricky since notepad.exe is a protected system file, which makes a direct replacement a bit difficult (though not impossible).

There is an easier way to replace Windows Notepad by using the "Image File Execution Options" registry key to trick Windows into running notepad2.exe whenever notepad.exe is run. This same trick is used by the "Replace Task Manager" function in Microsoft's Process Explorer. The benefit to using this method to replace Notepad is that you will not run afoul of Windows File Protection (since you are not actually replacing the executable itself), and you can undo it at any time by simply deleting the registry key. The downside to this method is that it does not work properly with the official Notepad2 build; there are a few minor changes that need to be made to Notepad2 in order for this to work (see my img_exec_replace patch).

In order to use this method of Notepad replacement, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Obtain a build of Notepad2 that supports this form of Notepad replacement.

2. Create the following registry key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe.

3. Inside the key, create a new string (REG_SZ) value, named "Debugger".

4. Set the data of this new "Debugger" value to the full path to the Notepad2 executable, followed by the /z switch. For example, "C:\Windows\Notepad2.exe" /z

[tablet_user]

I believe Notepad is under Windows File Protection. Why do you have to replace it though? I don't get it. Can't you just set NotepadEx as the default editor for the file types you want?

As for UAC, you shouldn't get an elevation prompt unless it's demanding to run as administrator for some reason. Are you maybe thinking of the Explorer warning that it's from an untrusted source?

this

[Julius Caro]

I believe Notepad is under Windows File Protection. Why do you have to replace it though? I don't get it. Can't you just set NotepadEx as the default editor for the file types you want?

As for UAC, you shouldn't get an elevation prompt unless it's demanding to run as administrator for some reason. Are you maybe thinking of the Explorer warning that it's from an untrusted source?

Seriously. It's win7 we're talking about just.. pin the thing to the taskbar? change its icon? I dunno why all the fuss. notepad.exe is a system file and I believe windows will try to repair it /replace it with the original. I guess you could change it so that when you type "notepad" into win+r or the search in the start menu the new one starts. but again, some taskbar 'pinnage' would do the job too