How to add “Open with Notepad” to the context menu in Windows 10

The Windows 10 context menu is the small list of options that appears when you right-click anywhere in Windows 10. The exact options that appear vary depending on whether you right-click a file, an empty folder or space. But with certain registry adjustments, you can extend the options in the context menu, for example by adding the option “open with notepad”.

Even if this process is safe if you follow the instructions, it is still worth saving the registry first if you get it wrong along the way.

With that aside, we can start.

1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing the Start key and typing regedit. In the Registry Editor, go to:

ComputerHKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*shell

2. Under the “shell” folder, right-click and create a new key called “Open with Notepad”. Then, inside of that, create a key called “command”.

3. In the “command” key folder, double-click on the “Default” string. In the Value box, type notepad.exe %1.

That’s all. Now close the Registry Editor, right click on your desktop and you should see “Open with Notepad” appear there in the context menu each time you right click on a file.

We have a lot more Windows 10 registry hacks if you’re interested. Or, if you’re looking for an explosion from the past, check out our list of great Windows 10 screen savers. Yes, we know you technically don’t need a screen saver right now LCD, but they just look good, right?

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