Want to associate Notepad++ Portable with opening text files on Windows 7.

Hi MGF.

I cannot associate opening .txt files with Notepad++ Portable. I used to be able to. I moved N++ to a new folder name 'Software'. Now when I go to 'open with' -- N++ is not showing up with Notepad and Wordpad.

:confused

 

You have to install programs before you can create file associations.

 

But file associations work with Firefox Portable -- in opening .html files.

 

Right-click the *.txt file, under Open with click Choose default program. Click Browse... and navigate to Notepad++. Click Open, ensure the box next to Always use the selected program to open this kind of file is checked and click OK.

 

I think you already know that installing Notepad++ will fix your problem. It's not as if it's a space gobbler.

 

I tried that but N++ does not appear in the window where Notepad and Wordpad are.

 

I prefer the portable version as I can auto update it with PortableApps.com

 

You must click the Browse button (See screenshot) and then find Notepad++ in the folder where you put it.

 

I've done that.

 

You put Notepad++ in a folder named Software. After clicking Browse, navigate to that folder. Click Notepad++, click open and click OK.

 

I've clicked on 'Notepad++Portable.exe'.

I think maybe there's some bug at work.

 

Are you perhaps selecting the file you downloaded from PortableApps.com? If so, that is like a self-extracting archive. You need to double-click that file and save the contents to a folder. Open the folder and you'll see the Notepad++ file.

 

No, it's the regular folder.

 

The Notepad++Portable folder should look like the screenshot.

 

Yes. It's the same here.

 

@Earthling @Eldon -- I've discovered the problem. The issue seems to be with the "++" part of the notepad++ exe.

 

This is no big deal anyway. I can just drag and drop text files onto the Notepad++ window.

Cheers guys.

 

Try this.
Open Control Panel > Default Programs > Associate a file type or protocol with a program. Scroll down to .txt and double-click it. Browse to Notepad++ and select it.

 

Tried that before. Thanks anyway.

 

Sorry but this one has me bowled out... much like the English cricket team in the recent Cricket World Cup. roflmao

 

No problem. Like I said in post #16 - it looks like the "++" part in the filename is causing the issue.

 

Hope you don't mind me giving this a last shot...
I have downloaded and 'installed' Notepad++. I then associated *.txt files with it and they open in Notepad++. This is where I found the Notepad++ application.

C:\Users\NAME\PortableApps\Notepad++Portable.

Cheers.

 

Try and try again. I will give it a try. Did you use the installer or portable version?

 

I used the portable version from PortableApps.com.

http://portableapps.com/apps/development/notepadpp_portable

The installation is confusing as in it doesn't install - the files and folders are extracted to the location mentioned in my last post. Change the location to the folder of your choice.

 

I don't think the location is the problem but I will still try. Cheers.

 

Today I tried to associate a .txt file (RC, open with, ...) with 'Notepad++ Portable' on a different PC running Windows 7 also -- it worked without a problem even with after a log out/in.

This makes no sense.

So the name format nor the fact that it's portable matters.

I am stumped as to why it does not work on my other PC.

 

I'm also stumped.
Open the Registry Editor and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.txt
Do you see UserChoice?

 

Yes. Here's a screenshot attached.

I also tried to associate text files in my VirtualBox Win 7 installation. It has the installed version of N++ and it too cannot yet be associated. :confused

 

I have IrfanViewer portable in a folder on my desktop, though I could put that folder anywhere on the computer.

I right click a jpg and select Open with. I select Choose Default Program the first time. I then browse until I find the IrfanViewPortable.exe and select it. I click the box that says Always use the selected program to open this kind of file.

I did nothing in the registry.

Now any jpg I click on, opens in IrfanView.

You follow these directions except substitute Notepad++Portable.exe
for IrfanView.

I just downloaded Notepad++ portable, installed it to a folder. I followed all the directions. Made a sample txt file. When I click on it, it opens in Notepad++.

 

you could always right click on the file and then click properties and change the default program from there.

 

Done both initially.

 

Hi Eldon. Did you see my post #28? What is the next step?

 

I just did and can't explain the pp after Notepad. Have a look at my screenshot. I suggest you right-click UserChoice, click export and save the file somewhere. Then right-click Progid, click Modify... and replace the pp with ++. Click OK and close Registry Editor.

If this doesn't work, I cannot think of anything else. Why the regular method to associate a filetype with a program doesn't work is a mystery to me.

 

In that Win7 VirtualBox install I mentioned also -- N++ does happen to be the default text file app.

So the issue remains with my initial laptop Win 7 N++ Portable. The "++" and "pp" N++ entries were both in my registry when I looked earlier today.

I just saw your image. Maybe if I removed Notepad and Wordpad in regedit - perhaps this would force windows to use N++.

I will look again in a while - the laptop is not my main PC and I dig it out from time to time to tinker with.

 

Or you might receive an error "Application cannot be found". I suggest you backup that registry key.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.txt

 

I was getting the openwith list mixed up with the userchoice list. I will check back again.

 

I tried that before. It would not allow "++".

Time for a re-review me thinks.

 

You've tried everything that's been suggested. Time to fit that new HDD and a fresh install...

 

If you can't associate the file into the program, then there has to be something corrupt, so it looks to me a complete fresh installation of Windows is required.

 

Sorry about this. I confused you with another member who knows his HDD is failing.

 

No problem.

I thought you posted it in jest.

 

Off topic...
I can't wait for the Rugby World Cup.
Have a good evening, I'm signing off.

 

I had the same problem with my Notepad+ (one + not two). It kept wanting to file my texts under Documents, and I wanted them on the desktop.

I don't know how much ++ is like my +, but mine makes defining file associations to be opened in Notepad+ easy. There's a whole tab under preferences, where you can associate any of a dozen or so extensions to open in Notepad+. It's my guess that both were written by the same people. So I hope you have such a tab.

As I understand it, Notepad++ is mainly for programmers and such, so it may not be like mine. Hope this helps.

 

Hi faster.

Could you provide a link for N+?

 

Here's the Softpedia link.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Office-tools/Text-editors/Kaufman-Notepadplus.shtml

However, according to the following link, Notepad+ hasn't been updated in almost 20 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notepad+

I suggest you also have a look at EditPad Lite.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/editpad_lite.html

 

No thanks to N+. :-D

I generally only opt for free/open-source software where possible so N++ still tops EditPad Lite for me.

 

Fair enough.
EditPad Lite is free for non-commercial use and can be installed to a flash drive.

Back to your original problem...
A tiny app called Types might fix your problem.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-manage-windows-file-associations-really-easy-way.htm

 

I'd rather a manual fix rather than using proprietary software. It's really not much of an issue anyway with N++ on my PC. You see my main OS is GNU/Linux and I am a free/open-source advocate. The old laptop was given to me and it has Windows so I just mess around with it.

I appreciate all your help to date Eldon. I will soon dig out the old laptop and try a few other fixes mentioned on this thread.