Fix “Edit in Notepad” Appearing for All File Types in Windows 11

If you’ve noticed the “Edit in Notepad” option appearing in the right-click context menu for all file types in Windows 11 — including non-text files like .exe, .png, or .jpg — this is a result of a recent Windows update that introduced a global Notepad integration. While the intent was to make quick file editing easier, it also added the option to every file type, which many users find unnecessary or confusing.

Here’s a detailed explanation of why this happens and how to safely remove or customize it.

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🧩 Why “Edit in Notepad” Appears Everywhere

Microsoft redesigned the Windows 11 context menu to make Notepad universally accessible, assuming users might want to edit logs, configuration files, or even inspect data in files without extensions. Unfortunately, this design added the option to all file types — even those that cannot be opened by Notepad, like executables or images.

This feature is not a bug but a shell extension (a system integration feature) registered by Microsoft to make Notepad more prominent. It works through a shell extension GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) that links Notepad to the right-click menu system-wide.

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⚙️ How to Remove “Edit in Notepad” from the Right-Click Menu

You can disable this feature manually using the Windows Registry Editor. This method is safe as long as you follow the steps carefully.

Step 1: Open Registry Editor

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control (UAC).

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Step 2: Navigate to the Shell Extensions Key

In Registry Editor, go to the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions

If you don’t see the Shell Extensions folder, right-click on CurrentVersion, select New → Key, and name it Shell Extensions.

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Step 3: Create the Blocked Key

1. Right-click Shell Extensions → New → Key.
2. Name the new key Blocked.

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Step 4: Add the Notepad Shell Extension GUID

1. Right-click on the Blocked key → New → String Value.
2. Name the new string value: {CA6CC9F1-867A-481E-951E-A28C5E4F01EA}
3. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

After rebooting, the “Edit in Notepad” entry will disappear from all context menus.

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🧰 Optional: Remove Other Context Menu Items

You can also use this method to hide other unwanted right-click menu options by adding their respective GUIDs under the same Blocked key.

Here are some examples:

• Ask Copilot: {CB3B0003-8088-4EDE-8769-8B354AB2FF8C}
• Edit with Clipchamp: {8BCF599D-B158-450F-B4C2-430932F2AF2F}
• Edit with Paint: {2430F218-B743-4FD6-97BF-5C76541B4AE9}
• Share with Skype: {776DBC8D-7347-478C-8D71-791E12EF49D8}

Adding these entries keeps your context menu clean and focused only on the items you actually use.

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🪛 Advanced Tip: Use PowerShell for Automation

If you manage multiple PCs or prefer automation, you can run this PowerShell command to block the Notepad context menu entry:

New-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions" -Name "Blocked" -Force
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked" -Name "{CA6CC9F1-867A-481E-951E-A28C5E4F01EA}" -Value "" -PropertyType String -Force

Then restart your PC to apply the change. This script can also be deployed via Intune or Group Policy logon scripts in enterprise environments.

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🧭 Alternative Option: Revert Temporarily via Notepad Settings

If you prefer not to edit the registry, you can wait for a future Windows update where Microsoft may add a toggle option in Notepad settings. Insiders have reported that Microsoft is testing the ability to disable the “Edit in Notepad” context entry directly from the app’s settings under:

Notepad > Settings > App Behavior > Show Edit in context menu

This option is not yet widely available but may roll out in a future update.

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💡 Summary

• The “Edit in Notepad” option now appears globally in Windows 11.
• It’s a shell extension added by Microsoft, not a bug.
• You can remove it by blocking its GUID in the Registry under:
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Blocked
• For extra control, block other entries using their GUIDs.
• Power users and IT admins can automate this using PowerShell or Intune.

By following these steps, you can keep your Windows 11 context menu clean, organized, and free of unnecessary options while retaining full control over what appears when you right-click files.