How to Restore the Missing Text Document Option in Windows Context Menu

Restore the “New Text Document” Option in Windows 10

As a long-time Windows user, nothing is more frustrating than vital functionality going missing for no apparent reason. Recently, we encountered an issue where the handy "New Text Document" option vanished from the right-click context menu in Windows 10. This option allows quickly creating a blank .txt file without opening any programs. Its disappearance was perplexing and disrupted our workflow.

After some digging on Windows-focused forums, we uncovered a straightforward fix to restore the "New Text Document" option by editing the Windows registry. In this post, we’ll walk through the steps to get this option back in its rightful place.

What Causes the “New Text Document” Option to Disappear?

While the specific triggers vary, the most common causes for the "New Text Document" option going missing are:

How to recover a corrupted document in Windows 10?

Save the document. If the document is corrupted and none of the previous methods work, try to recover its content by opening the document with Notepad. By using this method, you will lose all formatting. The intention is to recover the content. Locate the damaged document using Windows File Explorer.

How to check if a file is corrupted in Windows 10?

Method 1: Perform System File Checker (sfc) scan. System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. Note: Steps mentioned for Windows 8/8.1, will work fine with Windows 10. Method 2: Run DISM commands.

• Corrupted registry entries associated with text files (.txt).
• Installation/uninstallation of certain programs that modify the context menu. Examples include Notepad++.
• Upgrades to new versions of Windows 10 that improperly migrate settings.

The good news is, no matter the cause, we can override the problem by manually adding the appropriate registry values.

Fixing the Missing Option Using the Windows Registry

The Windows registry stores configuration settings and options for the operating system. By adding a few missing values, we can restore the "New Text Document" choice.

Here are the steps:

1. Type "regedit" into the Windows search bar and open the Registry Editor app.

2. Navigate to the following key:

   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt

3. Look for a "ShellNew" subkey within the .txt key. Create it if it doesn’t exist.

4. Right-click the "ShellNew" subkey and select New > String Value. Name it "NullFile." Leave the value data empty.

5. Repeat step 4, creating a new String Value called "ItemName." Give it a value of "Text Document."

   How to recover text from a file in word?

   In Word, select the File Menu, and then select Open. In the Files of type box, select Recover Text from Any File (.). Select the document from which you want to recover the text. Select Open. After the document is recovered by using the “Recover Text from Any File” converter, there is some binary data text that is not converted.

   How do I change text size in Windows 10?

   Most of the advanced display settings from previous versions of Windows are now available on the Display settings page. Select Start > Settings > System > Display. If you want to change the size of your text and apps, choose an option from the drop-down menu next to Scale. Learn how to change just your text size in Make Windows easier to see.

   How do I fix a damaged Microsoft Word file?

   Follow these steps to fix the issue: Open Windows File Explorer, navigate to the folder that contains the file, then right-click the file. Select Open With . Select Microsoft Word from the list of options. The next time you select the file, it will open correctly. If your file is damaged, use the Open and Repair feature to recover it.

6. Close the Registry Editor and reboot your PC.

After following these steps and restarting, you should once again see "New Text Document" when right-clicking in Windows Explorer. We tested this fix on Windows 10 versions 2004 through 21H2 and can confirm it resolves the issue.

Other Ways to Restore the Missing Option

Manually editing the registry works well but does involve some risk. If you delete or modify the wrong registry key, it could lead to system instability or other problems. A safer alternative is to use a purpose-built .reg file that performs the registry changes automatically.

You can find such files available for download on various Windows help sites. However, it’s essential to only download registry fix files from reputable sources like established technology blogs. Otherwise, you risk inadvertently installing malware or unwanted programs.

Some examples of trustworthy sites providing .reg file downloads to restore "New Text Document" include:

• TenForums
• TheWindowsClub
• WinHelpOnline

We tried several of these automated .reg files and can vouch for their effectiveness. Just be vigilant to avoid third-party offers or downloads when visiting these sites.

How do I open a damaged document in Windows 10?

Locate the damaged document using Windows File Explorer. Right click the document and select Open with. The document will open in Notepad with extra code and text around the content. You may have to change the file type from “Text Documents ( .txt)” to “All Files ( .*)”.

How do I copy a damaged document?

Select File on the Ribbon, and then select Open. Select the damaged document, and then select Open. If your document contains section breaks, copy only the text between the sections breaks. Do not copy the section breaks because this may bring the damage into your new document.

Why is my Windows 10 text not showing?

Windows update problems always happen now and then, for example, blue screen of death, black screen, files get lost after an update, can’t print, etc. In addition, there is a common issue that may appear on your PC – Windows 10 text not showing. To be specific, the text disappears and you can only see the icons.

How to fix Windows 10 text missing?

Step 1: Go to Settings > Update & Security. Step 2: Click View update history > Uninstall updates. Step 3: Right-click the recent update and choose Uninstall. Windows 10 text missing may be caused by malware or viruses. To fix this issue, you should run a full system scan to remove malicious threats from your PC.

Create Restore Points for Added Protection

Whether editing the registry manually or using a downloadable .reg file, it’s wise to create a System Restore point beforehand. That way, if anything goes wrong, you can roll back the registry and system settings to undo the changes.

Here’s how to create a restore point in Windows 10:

1. Type "create a restore point" in the search bar and select the result.

2. In the System Protection dialog, click Create to make a new restore point.

With a backup in place, you can confidently make registry edits to fix the missing context menu option. And if needed, quickly revert the changes.

Why the “New Text Document” Option Matters

Long-time Windows users are accustomed to having quick access to basic document creation abilities like crafting new text files. When this functionality mysteriously disappears, it disrupts our work routines and causes unnecessary friction.

How to fix drive errors Windows 10?

Scanning the drive from Properties is an efficient way to look for any drive errors. Depending on what errors Windows detects, you can choose the right tool to fix them. To scan the drive, right-click it and select Properties. Then, in the Tools tab, click Check to start the scan. 5. Set a New Drive Letter

How to recover unsaved Word document 2007/2003?

If your Word version is below version 2010, see another post on how to recover unsaved Word document 2007/2003. Step 1. Open the Word application and click the “Open” > “File” tab. Step 2. Click “Recent” and Scroll to the bottom of your Recent Documents, then click “Recover Unsaved Documents”. Step 3. The saved drafts will open in a new window.

By investigating forums and help sites, we can uncover reliable DIY fixes like the registry tweak outlined here. With a few simple steps, we can restore the handy "New Text Document" option and get back to effortless productivity on our Windows PCs.

Have you encountered this pesky issue of context menu options going missing? What other fixes have you used to restore them? We welcome your feedback and insights in the comments below!

References

1. https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-create-new-text-missing/
2. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/new-text-document-missing-from-context-menu-in-window