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WordPad & Notepad Gone in Windows 11? How to Restore Missing Text Editors

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Notepad has undeniably revolutionized how we handle text. While numerous advanced text editors are available today, each seemingly surpassing the last, Microsoft’s pre-installed Notepad for Windows remains the foundational text editor for many. Having been a staple for so long, Notepad has naturally encountered its share of glitches and problems. Some users have reported issues where they cannot launch Notepad from the executable file or discover that Notepad is completely absent from their Windows 11 or Windows 10 PCs. This article will guide you through the process of restoring WordPad or Notepad on your computer if they are missing.

Fix Notepad is missing on Windows 11/10 PC

The solution to this issue is straightforward, thanks to changes implemented by Microsoft. Applications like Notepad, WordPad, and Paint are now classified as Optional Features in Windows. This designation means they can be uninstalled and reinstalled according to user preference. Furthermore, Notepad now has a dedicated page on the Microsoft Store, allowing users to update the application independently from the operating system updates. This shift represents a departure from the long-standing practice of pre-installing these applications and making them irremovable from Windows PCs. Here are the methods to restore Notepad to your computer.

1] Using Optional Features settings

This initial method is designed to help you reinstall Notepad if it has completely disappeared from your system. As mentioned earlier, Notepad is now designated as an optional feature. Simply adhere to the following steps to reinstate Notepad on your PC:

  1. Begin by clicking on the Start button and then navigate to and open Windows Settings. This is typically represented by a gear icon in the Start Menu.

  2. Within the Windows Settings panel, locate and click on Apps. This section manages all applications installed on your system. Subsequently, within the Apps settings, find and select Optional features. This specific area controls the optional Windows components that can be added or removed.

  3. On the Optional features page, you will see a list of currently installed optional features. To add a new feature, click on the Add a feature button, usually positioned at the top of the page.

  4. A new window or section will appear, presenting a search field. Type ‘Notepad’ into this search field. The system will then search for features matching your input. If Notepad is indeed missing from your PC, it should appear in the search results.

  5. Once Notepad is listed, click on it to select it. Then, click the Install button, typically found at the bottom right or as a button associated with the selected feature. Windows will then proceed to download and install Notepad onto your system.

Optional features settings

After completing these steps, Notepad should be successfully reinstalled and ready for use. You can verify this by searching for “Notepad” in the Start Menu and launching the application. If this method does not resolve the issue, or if you prefer an alternative approach, you can also download and install Notepad directly from the Windows Store, as detailed in a later section.

2] Using the DISM-command line

This method is particularly useful for users who find Notepad present on their PC but are unable to open files due to potential file corruption or system errors. In such cases, uninstalling and then reinstalling the application using command-line instructions can provide a clean and effective solution.

To utilize this method, you will need to open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. Here’s how:

  1. Click on the Start button, type ‘cmd’ or ‘Command Prompt’.

  2. In the search results, you will see Command Prompt. Right-click on it and select Run as administrator. This is crucial as administrative rights are needed to execute system-level commands. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control to allow changes.

  3. Once the Command Prompt window is open with administrator privileges, carefully paste the following command line to uninstall Notepad:

dism /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.Notepad~~~~0.0.1.0

  1. Press Enter to execute this command. The Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool (DISM) will then initiate the process of uninstalling Notepad from your system. This process might take a few moments to complete, and you will see progress information in the Command Prompt window. Wait until the command is fully executed and you see a confirmation message.

  2. After the uninstallation is complete, paste the subsequent command line into the same Command Prompt window to reinstall Notepad:

dism /Online /add-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.Notepad~~~~0.0.1.0
  1. Press Enter to execute this command. DISM will now download and reinstall Notepad. Again, this process will take some time, depending on your internet connection speed and system performance. Wait for the command to complete and a confirmation message to appear.

It is highly recommended that users ensure the uninstallation command is fully completed before proceeding with the reinstallation. Interrupting the process or attempting to reinstall before a clean uninstall can lead to complications or an incomplete reinstallation.

Another critical point to consider is that this entire process necessitates an active internet connection. The system fetches the necessary installation packages via Windows Update. If you attempt to run these commands while offline, you will likely encounter an error, and the process will fail. Ensure you are connected to the internet throughout the uninstallation and reinstallation procedures.

This command-line method offers a robust way to resolve issues with Notepad, particularly when dealing with potential corruption or when the standard Optional Features method is not effective. It provides a clean slate by completely removing and then reinstalling the application directly from the Windows system components.

3] Download Windows Notepad from Microsoft Store

A convenient and direct method to obtain or reinstall Notepad is through the Microsoft Store. Notepad is now available as a standalone application in the Microsoft Store, making it easily accessible for download and installation, similar to any other app.

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Here’s how to download and install Notepad from the Microsoft Store:

  1. Click on the Start button and type ‘Store’ or ‘Microsoft Store’.

  2. Select Microsoft Store from the search results to open the application.

  3. Once the Microsoft Store is open, use the search bar located at the top of the window. Type ‘Notepad’ and press Enter or click on the search icon.

  4. In the search results, you should see the Windows Notepad application. Click on the Notepad app icon or listing to go to its dedicated page in the Store.

  5. On the Notepad app page, if you do not have Notepad installed or if it needs reinstallation, you will see an Install button. Click on this Install button.

  6. The Microsoft Store will then download and install Notepad on your system. You can monitor the download and installation progress. Once completed, the Install button will change to an Open button.

  7. Click Open to launch Notepad directly from the Microsoft Store, or you can find Notepad in your Start Menu under recently added applications or by searching for it.

Microsoft Store Notepad

Downloading Notepad from the Microsoft Store ensures you have the latest version and can manage its updates independently. This method is particularly useful if you prefer managing applications through the Store interface or if you encounter issues with the Optional Features or command-line methods. It is a straightforward and user-friendly way to restore or install Notepad on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.

WordPad is missing on Windows 11

If you are encountering similar issues with WordPad, the process to restore it is largely analogous to that of Notepad. You can employ the same methods described above to reinstall WordPad if it is missing from your Windows 11 system. Specifically, you can search for WordPad within the Optional Features settings, or you can adapt the DISM command-line instructions by replacing Notepad with WordPad in the command parameters.

However, it is crucial to note a significant change regarding WordPad in recent Windows updates. WordPad has been completely removed from Windows 11 24H2 and subsequent versions. This means that Windows will no longer include a built-in default Rich Text Format (RTF) reader. Microsoft now recommends utilizing Word for handling rich text documents such as .doc and .rtf files, and Notepad for plain text documents like .txt files.

This change implies that if you are using Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, WordPad will not be available as a built-in feature, and you will need to seek alternative software for RTF document handling if you prefer not to use Microsoft Word. For users on earlier versions of Windows 11 or Windows 10, the Optional Features and DISM command methods remain valid for reinstalling WordPad.

We trust that this guide has been beneficial in resolving any issues you might have encountered with missing Notepad or WordPad applications. Should you have any further questions or insights, please feel free to share them in the comments below. Your experiences and queries can help other users facing similar challenges.

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