How to Fix Notepad Missing in Windows 10 v2004 – Easy

A Comprehensive Guide to Fixing Notepad Missing in Windows 10

As an indispensable tool for quickly taking notes and editing text files, Windows Notepad has remained largely unchanged since the early days of Microsoft. However, Windows 10 has brought some new quirks affecting this staple app, including instances of it suddenly vanishing from users’ systems. If you’ve found yourself missing Notepad after updating to Windows 10 version 2004 or later, rest assured – we have the fixes you need to restore this fundamental Windows accessory.

After digging into user reports and expert advice across tech forums, we’ve uncovered several proven methods for troubleshooting and solving Notepad’s disappearance. Read on as we provide a comprehensive guide to addressing Notepad going AWOL so you can get back to hassle-free text editing.

Why Did My Notepad Disappear in Windows 10?

Before jumping into solutions, it helps to understand the potential causes of Notepad’s vanishing act:

Where can I find notepad?

If Notepad is installed on the computer, it would be available here → C:\Windows\System32\Notepad.exe If Notepad is missing on the computer, you can install it via Start, Settings, Apps, and click Optional features. Microsoft MVP (2003 to 2012), Windows Client. Was this reply helpful?

How to open a Notepad File in Windows 10?

Go to Settings > Personalization > Start. Toggle on the “Show recently opened items in Start, Jump List, and File Explore” option. Finally try to right click on Notepad at the taskbar, and you can see its Jump List clearly. Notepad files with .txt extension are widely used in computer industry.

• It became an optional feature– Starting in Windows 10 version 2004, Microsoft made some once-standard apps like Notepad optional. If you did a clean install, Notepad may not be included anymore.

• Accidental removal– Whether by user error or a system glitch, Notepad could have been deleted, uninstalled, disabled, or simply moved from its C:\Windows\System32 location.

• Windows update issues– Some Windows 10 patches have been tied to Notepad problems, like the infamous KB4565503.

Figuring out why Notepad went missing on your specific system can guide you to the right fix. Now let’s explore your options for restoring this essential Windows tool.

Fix 1: Check the Start Menu

The easiest potential remedy is to check whether Notepad is still present in your Start Menu but just unpinned. To do so:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. Scroll through the list of apps and search for Notepad.

3. If found, right-click on Notepad and select "Pin to Start" to add it back.

This will re-pin Notepad to the Start Menu so it’s easily accessible again.

How do I restore a Notepad File?

Step 1: Find the location where the target notepad file is stored. Step 2: Right-click on the file and select Restore previous version from the context menu. Step 3: Choose a suitable previous version and click on Restore. Step 4: Once it is fully restored, you can open the file to see if it is repaired.

Can you delete a Notepad File in Windows 10?

It’s easy to accidentally delete a Notepad file, especially if you’re simultaneously working on many different files. If you’ve removed a TXT file that you didn’t mean to, there is no need to panic; you still have a chance to restore deleted Notepad files in Windows 10, 11, and more. But you have to act fast. Ways 1. Check Recycle Bin

How to replace notepad with notepad++?

Click on the View tab in File Explorer. Check the Hidden items choice on the top toolbar. If you want to replace Notepad with Notepad++, please refer to this passage: Notepad++ Download/Install for Windows 10/8/7 [32-bit & 64-bit]

Fix 2: Verify Notepad in the C Drive

If Notepad is missing from your Start Menu apps list entirely, it’s time to check the C Drive. Here’s how:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Navigate toC:\Windows\System32.

3. Look for the filenotepad.exe.

4. If found, right-click onnotepad.exeand choose "Create shortcut".

5. Move the shortcut to your desktop or Start Menu.

This makes Notepad accessible again if it was somehow removed from the Start Menu but remains in the C Drive.

Fix 3: Reinstall Notepad as Optional Feature

If Notepad is nowhere to be found on your system, reinstalling it through the Optional Features menu is your fix:

1. Open Settings and go to Apps & Features.

2. Click on Optional Features in the right pane.

3. Search for or scroll to Notepad in the list.

4. Click the downward arrow next to Notepad and select Install.

This will restore Notepad on versions where it’s deemed optional. Bear in mind your Windows 10 needs to be up to date first before Notepad appears as optional.

How to install notepad on Windows 10?

Here are the steps: Step 1: Open Settings on your Windows PC. You can use Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open settings. Step 2: Go to Apps. Step 3: Click on Optional features under Apps & features. Step 4: Click on Add a feature. Step 5: Search for Notepad. When found, select it and hit the Install button.

How to fix missing notepad in Windows 10?

Press “Start key + I” to open Settings. Select “Apps.” Select “Apps & features.” Click on the “Optional features” link on the main page. Press the “Add a feature“ button. Search for “Notepad.” Select the Notepad checkbox. Click the “Install” button. Notepad will be installed instantly. With that, you have fixed the missing Notepad in Windows 10.

How to recover deleted notepad files on Windows 10?

Let’s keep reading. In case you delete the Notepad files recently, they are supposed to stay in the Recycle Bin on your Windows. Try to find and recover them from Recycle Bin. Step 1: Double-click to open Recycle Bin. Step 2: Look through the files and select the files you want to restore.

How do I recover a lost Notepad File in Windows 10?

Step 1. Click the Search button on your Windows. Type %AppData%, and press “Enter”. This will open the Roaming folder. Step 2. Type .txt in the search bar and look for the Notepad files and see if you can recover the unsaved Notepad. Notepad is plain text editing software that saves files in .txt file format.

Fix 4: Uninstall and Reinstall Notepad

If Notepad is still missing after trying the above steps, a more brute force fix is to fully uninstall then reinstall the app through PowerShell, Command Prompt or Control Panel. Here are the basic steps:

1. Fully uninstall Notepad using your preferred method.

2. Restart your PC.

3. Reinstall Notepad through Optional Features.

While a bit tedious, this forces Windows to fully re-register Notepad on your system.

Prevent Notepad From Disappearing Again

To avoid Notepad mysteriously vanishing again after getting it back, heed this advice:

• Refrain from uninstalling apps unless absolutely necessary.

• Carefully review settings changes before confirming.

• Delay updating to new feature releases until bugs are fixed.

• Make regular system backups in case you need to roll back changes.

Following these best practices will help you avoid a repeat Notepad nightmare.

Our comprehensive troubleshooting guide should successfully help you address Notepad going missing on Windows 10. Let us know if any of these fixes solve your Notepad woes! And stay tuned for more tips on getting the most out of Windows.

Where can I find an unsaved Notepad File?

Once you enabled the AutoSave function, you can find the unsaved files stored in the path: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming. 2. Can I recover a Notepad file that I didn’t save? If you want to recover a notepad file that is unsaved after a restart, you can go to C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming to find and recover an unsaved text file. 3.

What if I remove notepad from Windows 10 Insider build 20h2?

Thank you for choosing MajorGeeks. this has requirement of the windows 10 insider build 20h2, currently if you remove notepad you have to add it in optional features in settings Windows Notepad is the official download for Windows 10 Notepad if you accidentally removed it and changed your mind.

References

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/notepad-is-missing-in-windows-10-version-2004.155/

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/notepad-missing-in-windows-10-v2004/881f1e3f-4c71-4030-a646-329c296547d7

https://www.ghacks.net/2020/01/18/microsoft-windows-security-updates-january-2020-overview/

References

1. https://www.guidingtech.com/how-fix-notepad-missing-issue-windows-10/
2. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-uninstall-or-reinstall-notepad-in-windows-10