Notepad is a simple text editor software from Microsoft. You can create and edit plain text documents in Notepad. You can easily launch Notepad on Windows 10 using the Search box, typing notepad, and pressing the Enter key. Though Notepad opens without an issue, some users have complained that they don’t find Notepad on their Windows 10 machine. This article will explain what you should do if you find that the Notepad is missing in Windows 10.
Notepad is missing on Windows 10
We have listed here some fixes that you should try if you find Notepad is missing on your Windows 10 computer.
- Look for Notepad in the Windows Accessories folder.
- Search Notepad in the System32 folder.
- Install Notepad via Windows 10 Optional Features.
Let’s have a deep look at these troubleshooting methods.
1] Look for Notepad in the Windows Accessories folder
According to some users, they were not able to find Notepad in the Windows 10 Start menu. In Windows 10, Notepad, WordPad, and other Microsoft apps are located under the Windows Accessories folder. Hence, you should look for Notepad under this folder. For this, click on the Start menu and scroll down the list to find the Windows Accessories folder. Once you find it, click on it; you will see the Notepad under there.
Once you find the Notepad, you can pin it to the Start menu. To do so, right-click on it and select Pin to Start. After that, Notepad will be available in the Windows Tiles section.
2] Search Notepad in the System32 folder
You can also search Notepad in the System32 folder. This folder is available in the C Drive (where users install Windows usually). For your convenience, we have written the complete path to the folder:
C:\Windows\System32
Copy the above path and paste it into the address bar of File Explorer. After that hit Enter. This will open the System32 folder directly. Now, scroll down the list of apps and folders to find the Notepad application. You can launch Notepad directly from here by double-clicking on it or create a Desktop shortcut for easy access.
To create a Desktop shortcut, right-click on the Notepad application and select “Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).”
3] Install Notepad via Windows Optional Features
If none of the above methods help you, you can try to install Notepad via Windows 10 Optional Features.
The below steps will help you with that:
- Right-click on the Windows Start menu and select Settings.
- Click Apps category.
- Under the Apps & Features page, click on the Optional features option available on the right side.
- Now, click on the Add a feature option.
- Scroll down the list of optional apps and select Notepad. Click Install. You can also use the available search box to find Notepad.
- Use the Install button.
- After the installation process gets completed, restart your computer (if required).
This should help.
Why has my Notepad disappeared?
Microsoft has made Notepad an optional feature in Windows 10. Hence, it may disappear after a certain Windows 10 update. If you find Notepad is missing in Windows 10, you can install it via Optional Features or other options as explained above.
Does Windows 10 have Notepad or WordPad?
Like Notepad, WordPad is also an optional feature in Windows 10. Though these applications are pre-installed on a Windows 10 OS, sometimes, these applications might disappear after a certain Windows 10 update. In such a case, you can install both of these applications via Windows 10 Optional Features or other options.
Related: A Simple Notepad for Firefox That Opens In A Pop Up To Create, Edit Notes.
