HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe String Value Name: Debugger Data:

This is the easiest way to ensure your most common text files open in Notepad++ by default.

; Replace Notepad with Notepad++ (System-wide)

Right-click notepad.exe → → String Value . Name: Debugger

This completes the full text instructions to replace Notepad with Notepad++ on Windows 11.