Easiest way to restore WordPad to work in Windows 11 (2024 updated)
Windows Latest has found a way to restore the functionality of the old Explorer and WordPad in Windows 11. It works in versions 22H2, 23H2 and even 24H2.
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| windowslatest.com |
How to restore WordPad in Windows 11
You should open Notepad and paste the following code into a new file:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}]
@="CLSID_ItemsViewAdapter"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{2aa9162e-c906-4dd9-ad0b-3d24a8eef5a0}\InProcServer32]
@="C:\\Windows\\System32\\Windows.UI.FileExplorer.dll_"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}]
@="File Explorer Xaml Island View Adapter"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33}\InProcServer32]
@="C:\\Windows\\System32\\Windows.UI.FileExplorer.dll_"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\ShellBrowser]
"ITBar7Layout"=hex:13,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,20,00,00,00,10,00,01,00,\
00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,01,07,00,00,5e,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,\
00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00The hexadecimal string describes the layout that is configured for the toolbar in Explorer. The script works like this: The first part of the code creates a new CLSID entry for CLSID_ItemsViewAdapter. It configures InProcServer32 to use Windows.UI.FileExplorer.dll_, which contains some parts of the old interface. The second block of code does the same thing, but for a different part of the explorer. It uses a unique ID {6480100b-5a83-4d1e-9f69-8ae5a88e9a33} and calls it File Explorer Xaml Island View Adapter. Finally, the script adjusts the toolbar layout in ShellBrowser.
After that, open the "Save As" window & give the name of the file "regtweak.reg," and save it on your computer. Its extension should only be .reg. Double-clicking the file will launch and you need to click “OK” to apply the changes to the registry.
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| windowslatest.com |
After restarting the PC, the old ribbon interface appears at the top of Explorer. However, the old version is not fully reverted, so it may not be suitable for everyone. Yes, it does not have a tab option.
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| windowslatest.com |
You can also revert to the old context menu, replacing the modern one. However, setting the registry to disable the new context menu only works on Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2.
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| windowslatest.com |
If you're running an older version, you'll have to use the "Show advanced options" option to open the old menu.
How to restore my WordPad
The main WordPad application files were located in the Accessories folder inside the Windows NT folder on drive C. The full path was C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories. All these folders are still there, but the WordPad files are missing. They just need to be added back to the Standard folder.
Windows Latest found these files. You can download the archive from here . It contains the following files:
- en-US folder with wordpad.exe.mui,
- wordpad.exe
- WordpadFilter.dll.
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| windowslatest.com |
After downloading the archive, you need to extract its contents and paste the files into the “Standard” folder.
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| windowslatest.com |
You will then need to launch Wordpad by double-clicking the wordpad.exe file. It can be pinned to the taskbar or added to the Start menu by changing the Programs folder.
It's worth noting that WordPad will remain in Windows 11 23H2 and older. The editor will also work on Windows 10. Microsoft is removing the feature with the Windows 11 2024 update, which will be released in September or October.
Previously, users discovered that Windows 11 still allows you to open the old version of File Explorer without hacks, registry tweaks, or third-party applications.
In conclusion, while the article provides a method to partially restore WordPad and elements of the old Explorer interface in Windows 11, these solutions involve advanced steps and may not fully replicate the original functionality or design. Users interested in restoring these features should proceed with caution and ensure compatibility with their specific Windows 11 version and updates.