Notepad is still one of my most commonly used applications. Alberto Escobedos provides instructions for replacing Notepad with Notepad2, a free download. Notepad2 provides more sophisticated editing, it opens large files MUCH MUCH faster, and it deals with special characters much better.

Alberto provided high-level instructions that are perfect for IT guys. Here are my slightly more explicit instructions, for those who want the upgraded Notepad but might not be familiar with changing permissions:

1. Download Notepad2. Save the program to your computer.

2. Click Start, and then click Computer. Navigate to C:\Windows.

3. Find Notepad.exe in the right pane. Right-click it, and then click Properties.

4. Click the Security tab. Then, click the Advanced button.

5. Click the Owner tab.

6. Click the Edit button, and respond to the UAC prompt.

7. In the Advanced Security Settings for Notepad.exe dialog, click Administrators, and then click OK. Click OK twice more.

8. On the Security tab, click the Edit button. Respond to the UAC prompt that appears.

9. Click Administrators. Then, under the Allow column, click the Full Control checkbox.

10. Click OK. Click Yes. Click OK again.

11. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\. Repeat steps 3-11 on the C:\Windows\System32\Notepad.exe file (yes, it’s in two places).

12. Open the Notepad2.zip file. Rename Notepad2.exe to Notepad.exe.

13. Right-click the NEW Notepad.exe and then click Copy.

14. In Explorer, right-click the C:\Windows folder, and click Paste. Then, click Copy and Replace.

15.  When prompted, click Continue. Then, respond to the UAC prompt that appears.

16. In Explorer, right-click the C:\Windows\System32\ folder, and click Paste. Then, click Copy and Replace.

Now, you’ve replaced the standard Notepad.exe in both places. Any time you open a file associated with Notepad, Notepad 2 will automatically open. If you run Notepad from the Start menu, Notepad2 will open instead. MUCH better.