How to Open Notepad

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: October 21, 2021

Notepad is an incredibly easy-to-use text editor bundled with the Microsoft Windows operating system. You can find and open Notepad from within the Microsoft Windows Start menu, or you can create a new text file right on your desktop.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Opening Notepad with Search

1
Click the ⊞ Win Start button.
2
Type in "notepad".

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3
Click "Notepad". This should be the top app in your search.
4
Review your Notepad. You are now ready to begin using Notepad!

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Manually Accessing Notepad

1
Click ⊞ Win.
2
Scroll down to "Windows Accessories".^{[1]
X
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- On Windows 10, you won't be able to find Notepad using this method. You can, however, refer to method one to find it.
3
Click the "Windows Accessories" folder.
4
Click "Notepad". This will open Notepad!

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Creating a New Text Document

1
Right-click your desktop.
2
Hover over "New".
3
Click Text Document.
4
Type in a name for your file.
5
Double-click your document. This will open your text file in Notepad!

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Community Q&A

Question

How do I save a Notepad file to my desktop?

Community Answer

Click File and then Save As in the top left corner. You'll be able to save your Notepad file anywhere on your computer.
Question

I do not understand yet now how to open the notepad from start menu. What do I do?

Community Answer

From your desktop, click on a free space with your right mouse button. A menu should appear. Just select, "New," and click, "Text Document." This should create a file at your desktop you can rename. Open the file to open Notepad and edit the created file with it.

Warnings

Unlike Microsoft Word, Notepad does not save your work periodically; to save your work, make sure you click Save in the File menu (or hold down Ctrl+S).

Thanks!
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