This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager. Download a free trial now!

Enabling this setting will allow you to use Notepad to open a file by simply right clicking on the icon. Also the Notepad will be used to open the files by default if no association already exists.

Open your registry and find the key "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell", if it doesn't already exist then create it.

Under shell create a new key called open, and edit the string "(Default)" to read "Open With Notepad".

Under open create a new key called command, and edit the string "(Default)" to read "notepad.exe %1".

Now when you right click on a file you should see "Open with Notepad" as one of the options.

Note: This tweak may affect the Office 97 toolbar feature and stop it from working correctly. This is because when you click an icon on the Office toolbar it activates the first context menu item, which in this case is the new "Open with Notepad" command, rather than looking for the default item.

		(Default)	REG_SZ	"notepad.exe %1"

	HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.