How to Customize the Notepad Window (Windows 11)

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This tutorial covers:

  1. How to Resize Notepad With Mouse
  2. How to Resize Notepad With Right Click
  3. How to Resize Notepad With Hover and Right Click
  4. How to Minimize Notepad With Click
  5. How to Minimize Notepad With Right Click
  6. How to Minimize Notepad With Hover and Right Click
  7. How to Maximize Notepad With Click
  8. How to Maximize Notepad With Double Click
  9. How to Maximize Notepad With Right Click
  10. How to Maximize Notepad With Hover and Right Click
  11. How to Restore Notepad With Maximize Button
  12. How to Restore Notepad With Double Click
  13. How to Restore Notepad With Right Click
  14. How to Restore Notepad With Hover and Right Click
  15. How to Move Notepad With Mouse
  16. How to Move Notepad With Right Click
  17. How to Move Notepad With Hover and Right Click
  18. How to Move Notepad With a Tab
  19. How to Move a Tab Outside a Window
  20. How to Move a Tab Into Another Window
  21. How to Zoom In With Menu
  22. How to Zoom In With Keyboard Shortcut
  23. How to Zoom Out With Menu
  24. How to Zoom Out With Keyboard Shortcut
  25. How to Restore to Default Zoom With Menu
  26. How to Restore to Default Zoom With Keyboard Shortcut
  27. How to Add/Remove the Status Bar With Menu
  28. How to Add/Remove Word Wrap With Menu
  29. How to Add/Remove Word Wrap With Settings
  30. How to Change Notepad App Theme Color
  31. How to Choose How Files Are Opened
  32. How to Adjust When Notepad Starts

 

In a hurry? Click through this tutorial presentation:

See the video tutorial here:





 

How to Resize Notepad With Mouse

  • Step 1: Hover the mouse over the top, left, right, or bottom edge or corner of the Notepad window, until the cursor becomes a double sided arrow.

The computer screen displays an open Notepad window on the Desktop. The double sided arrow cursor hovers above the right edge of the Notepad window.

  • Step 2: Click, hold, and drag the mouse to resize the window. Release the mouse to stop resizing the window. 

The first image displays the double sided arrow cursor hovering over the right edge of the open Notepad window. A blue arrow points to the right. The second image displays the resized Notepad window that is longer than the window in the first image.

 

How to Resize Notepad With Right Click

  • Step 1: Right click either the top of the Notepad window, or the upper left corner of the window.

 The first image displays the cursor right clicking the top of the Notepad window. The second image displays the cursor right clicking the upper left corner of the Notepad window.

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Size".

The first image displays a menu below the top of the Notepad window, and the cursor clicks the "Size" option in the menu. The second image displays a menu below the upper left corner of the Notepad window, and the cursor clicks the "Size" option in the menu.

  • Step 3: Hover the four arrows cursor over any edge or corner of the window.

The image displays the four arrows cursor hovering over the lower right corner of the Notepad window.

  • Step 4: Click, hold, and drag to resize the window. Release the mouse to stop resizing the window.

The first image displays the four arrows cursor hovering over the lower right corner of the Notepad window. A blue arrow points to the right. The second image displays the resized Notepad window that is longer than the window in the first image.


How to Resize Notepad With Hover and Right Click

  • Step 1: With Notepad open, go down to the taskbar and hover over the Notepad app icon.

The computer screen displays the open Notepad window on top of the Desktop. The cursor hovers above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

  • Step 2: Right click the small window that appears above the Notepad app icon.

A small window appears above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar that is at the bottom of the screen. The cursor right clicks the small window.

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Size".

The computer screen displays the Desktop with an open Notepad window. A menu appears on the lower right side of the screen. The cursor clicks the "Size" option in the menu.

  • Step 4: Hover the four arrows cursor over any edge or corner of the window.

 The image displays the four arrows cursor hovering over the lower right corner of the Notepad window.


  • Step 5: Click, hold, and drag to resize the window. Release the mouse to stop resizing the window.

 The first image displays the four arrows cursor hovering over the lower right corner of the Notepad window. A blue arrow points to the right. The second image displays the resized Notepad window that is longer than the window in the first image.

 

 

How to Minimize Notepad With Click

  • Step 1: Go to the upper right of the Notepad window and click the "Minimize" or "-" button. The Notepad window minimizes and does not display on the Desktop.

The first image displays the cursor clicking the "Minimize" or "-" button on the upper right of the Notepad window. The second image displays the empty Desktop as the Notepad window minimizes.

 

How to Minimize Notepad With Right Click

  • Step 1: Right click either the top of the Notepad window or the upper left corner of the window.

The first image displays the cursor right clicking the top of the Notepad window. The second image displays the cursor right clicking the upper left corner of the Notepad window.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Minimize". The Notepad window minimizes and does not display on the Desktop.

In the first two images, the left image displays a menu below the top of the Notepad window with the cursor clicking the "Minimize" option in the menu. The right image displays the empty Desktop as the Notepad window minimizes. In the second set of images, the left image displays a menu below the upper left corner of the Notepad window with the cursor clicking the "Minimize" option in the menu. The right image displays the empty Desktop as the Notepad window minimizes.

 

How to Minimize Notepad With Hover and Right Click

  • Step 1: With Notepad open, go down to the taskbar and hover over the Notepad app icon.

The computer screen displays the open Notepad window on top of the Desktop. The cursor hovers above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: Right click the small window that appears above the Notepad app icon.

A small window appears above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar, which is at the bottom of the screen. The cursor right clicks the small window.

 

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Minimize". The Notepad window minimizes and does not display on the Desktop.

The first image displays the taskbar at the bottom of the screen with the Notepad app icon on the lower right side. A small window appears above the Notepad app icon. The cursor clicks the "Minimize" option in the menu that appears below the small window. The second image displays the empty Desktop as the Notepad window minimizes.

 

How to Maximize Notepad With Click

  • Step 1: Go to the upper right of the Notepad window and click the "Maximize" button. The Notepad window maximizes and occupies the entire screen.

The first image displays the cursor clicking the "Maximize" or square button on the upper right of the Notepad window. The second image displays the maximized Notepad window that occupies up the entire screen.

 

 

How to Maximize Notepad With Double Click

  • Step 1: Double click the top of the Notepad window. The Notepad window maximizes and occupies the entire screen.
The first image displays the cursor double clicking the top of the Notepad window. The second image displays the maximized Notepad window that occupies the entire screen.



How to Maximize Notepad With Right Click

  • Step 1: Right click either the top of the Notepad window or the upper left corner of the window.

The first image displays the cursor right clicking the top of the Notepad window. The second image displays the cursor right clicking the upper left corner of the Notepad window.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Maximize". The Notepad window maximizes and occupies the entire screen.

In the first two images, the top image displays the cursor clicking the "Maximize" option in a menu below the top of the Notepad window. The image below displays the maximized Notepad window that occupies the entire screen. In the second set of images, the top image displays the cursor clicking the "Maximize" option in the menu below the upper left corner of the Notepad window. The image below displays the maximized Notepad window that occupies the entire screen.

 

How to Maximize Notepad With Hover and Right Click

  • Step 1: With Notepad open, go down to the taskbar and hover over the Notepad app icon.

The computer screen displays the open Notepad window on top of the Desktop. The cursor hovers above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: Right click the small window that appears above the Notepad app icon.

A small window appears above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar, which is at the bottom of the screen. The cursor right clicks the small window.

 

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Maximize". The Notepad window maximizes and occupies the entire screen.

The first image displays the taskbar at the bottom of the screen with the Notepad app icon on the lower right side of the taskbar. A menu appears above the Notepad app icon. The cursor clicks the "Maximize" option in the menu. The second image displays the maximized Notepad window that occupies the entire screen.

 

How to Restore Notepad With Maximize Button

  • Step 1: First maximize a Notepad window. Go to the upper right and click the "Restore" button. The Notepad window is restored to its original size before being maximized.
The first image displays the cursor clicking the "Maximize" button on the upper right of the maximized Notepad window. The second image displays the smaller, restored Notepad window on the Desktop.


 

How to Restore Notepad With Double Click

  • Step 1: First maximize a Notepad window. Double click the top of the maximized Notepad window. The Notepad window is restored to its original size before being maximized.
     The first image displays the cursor double clicking the top of the maximized Notepad window. The second image displays the smaller, restored Notepad window on the Desktop.



How to Restore Notepad With Right Click

  • Step 1: First maximize a Notepad window. Right click either the top of the maximized Notepad window or the upper left corner of the window.
The first image displays the cursor right clicking the top of the maximized Notepad window. The second image displays the cursor right clicking the upper left corner of the maximized Notepad window.


  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Restore". The Notepad window is restored to its original size before being maximized.

In the first set of images, the top image displays the cursor clicking the "Restore" option in the menu below the top of the maximized Notepad window. The image below displays the smaller, restored Notepad window on the Desktop. In the second set of images, the top image displays the cursor clicking the "Restore" option in the menu below the upper left corner of the maximized Notepad window. The image below displays the smaller, restored Notepad window on the Desktop.

 

 

How to Restore Notepad With Hover and Right Click

The computer screen displays the maximized Notepad window on top of the Desktop. The cursor hovers above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

  • Step 2: Right click the small window that appears above the Notepad app icon. 

A small window appears above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar, which is at the bottom of the screen. The cursor right clicks the small window.

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Restore". The Notepad window is restored to its original size before being maximized. 
The first image displays the maximized Notepad add window, with a menu on the lower right side of the screen. The cursor clicks the "Restore" option in the menu. The second image displays the smaller, restored Notepad window on the Desktop.



How to Move Notepad With Mouse

  • Step 1: On the top of a Notepad window, click, hold, and drag the mouse to move the window. Release the mouse to stop moving the window.

The first image displays the cursor clicking the top of the Notepad window, with a blue arrow pointing the to right. The second image displays the Notepad window that was moved to the right side of the Desktop.

 

 

How to Move Notepad With Right Click

  • Step 1: Right click either the top of the Notepad window or the upper left corner of the window.

The first image displays the cursor right clicking the top of the Notepad window. The second image displays the cursor right clicking the upper left corner of the Notepad window.

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Move".

The first image displays the cursor clicking the "Move" option in the menu below the top of the Notepad window. The second image displays the cursor clicking the "Move" option in the menu below the upper left corner of the Notepad window.

  • Step 3: Move the four arrows cursor to the top of the Notepad window, then click, hold, and drag the mouse to move the window. Release the mouse to stop moving the window. 
The first image displays the four arrows cursor clicking the top of the Notepad window, and a blue arrow points to the right. The second image displays the Notepad window moved to the right on the Desktop.



How to Move Notepad With Hover and Right Click

  • Step 1: With Notepad open, go down to the taskbar and hover over the Notepad app icon.

The computer screen displays the open Notepad window on top of the Desktop. The cursor hovers above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: Right click the small window that appears above the Notepad app icon.

A small window appears above the Notepad app icon on the taskbar, which is at the bottom of the screen. The cursor right clicks the small window.

 

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Move".

A small menu appears in the lower right side of the computer screen. The cursor clicks the "Move" option in the menu.

  • Step 4: Move the four arrows cursor to the top of the Notepad window, then click, hold, and drag the mouse to move the window. Release the mouse to stop moving the window.

 The first image displays the four arrows cursor clicking the top of the Notepad window, and a blue arrow points to the right. The second image displays the Notepad window moved to the right on the Desktop.

 

How to Move Notepad With a Tab

  • Step 1: Inside a Notepad window, go to the top of a tab. Click, hold, and drag the top of a tab to another location on the Desktop. After releasing the mouse, the entire Notepad window moves to that location.

The first image displays the cursor clicking one tab of the Notepad window. The second image displays the tab being dragged to the right on the Destkop. The third image displays the Notepad window that was moved to the right on the Desktop.

 

How to Move a Tab Outside a Window

  • Step 1: In an open Notepad window with at least two tabs, go to the top of one of the tabs. Click, hold, and drag the tab to another location on the Desktop. After releasing the mouse, the dragged tab opens in a separate Notepad window.

The first image displays the cursor clicking one of the two tabs in the Notepad window. The second image displays the tab being dragged to the right on the Desktop. The third image displays a second separate window on the Desktop to the right of the first window.

 

How to Move a Tab Into Another Window

  • Step 1: With two Notepad windows open, go to the top of a tab in one window. Click, hold, and drag the tab into the second Notepad window, until the word "Move" appears. After releasing the mouse, the second Notepad window now has two tabs.
The first image displays two windows on the Desktop, with the cursor clicking one tab of the rightmost Notepad window. The second image displays that tab being dragged into the top of the left Notepad window, and the word "Move" appears above the dragged tab. The third image displays one Notepad window with two tabs inside.



How to Zoom In With Menu

  • Step 1: Go to the upper left of the Notepad window and click the "View" button.

The image displays the cursor clicking the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The edited Notepad window displays the text of "This file has been edited".

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, hover over "Zoom" and in the second menu click "Zoom in". The Notepad window displays larger text and the zoom percentage in the status bar increases by 10%.
The first image displays the cursor hovering over the "Zoom" option in the menu that appears below the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. In the second image, a second menu appears to the right of "Zoom" and the cursor clicks the "Zoom in" option in the second menu. In the third image, the Notepad displays larger text of "This file has been edited".



How to Zoom In With Keyboard Shortcut

  • Step 1: Click inside a Notepad window and on the keyboard press the "Ctrl" and "+" keys. The Notepad window displays larger text and the zoom percentage in the status bar increases by 10%.
The first image displays the edited Notepad window with the text of "This file has been edited". A graphic of keyboard keys with "Ctrl" and "+" appear at the bottom of the Notepad window. The second image displays the Notepad window with larger text of "This file has been edited".



How to Zoom Out With Menu

  • Step 1: Go to the upper left of the Notepad window and click the "View" button.

The image displays the cursor clicking the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The edited Notepad window displays the text of "This file has been edited".

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, hover over "Zoom" and in the second menu click "Zoom out". The Notepad window displays smaller text and the zoom percentage in the status bar decreases by 10%.
The first image displays the cursor hovering over the "Zoom" option in the menu that appears below the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The second image displays a second menu appearing to the right of the "Zoom" option. The cursor clicks the "Zoom out" option in the second menu. The third image displays the edited Notepad whose text of "This file has been edited" appears smaller.



How to Zoom Out With Keyboard Shortcut

  • Step 1: Click inside a Notepad window and on the keyboard press the "Ctrl" and "-" keys. The Notepad window displays smaller text and the zoom percentage in the status bar decreases by 10%.
The first image displays an edited Notepad window with the text of "This file has been edited". A graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl" and "-" appear at the bottom of the Notepad window. The second image displays the edited Notepad window where the text "This file has been edited" appears smaller.



How to Restore to Default Zoom With Menu

  • Step 1: Go to the upper left of the Notepad window and click the "View" button.

 The image displays the cursor clicking the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The edited Notepad window displays the text of "This file has been edited".

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, hover over "Zoom" and in the second menu click "Restore default zoom". The Notepad window returns to default zoom and the text becomes the default size.
The first image displays the cursor hovering over the "Zoom" option in the menu below the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The second image displays a second menu to the right of "Zoom", and the cursor clicks the "Restore default zoom" option in the second menu. The third image displays the edited Notepad window with the text of "This file has been edited" at default zoom.



How to Restore to Default Zoom With Keyboard Shortcut

  • Step 1: Click inside a Notepad window and on the keyboard press "Ctrl + 0". The Notepad window returns to default zoom and the text becomes the default size.
The first image displays an edited Notepad window with the text "This file has been edited". A graphic of the keyboard keys of "Ctrl + 0" appears at the bottom of the Notepad window. The second image displays the edited Notepad window where the text "This file has been edited" displays at default zoom.


How to Add/Remove the Status Bar With Menu

  • Step 1: Go to the upper left of the Notepad window and click the "View" button.

The image displays the cursor clicking the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The edited Notepad window displays the text of "This file has been edited".

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Status bar" to toggle this option on or off. When on, the Status bar appears at the bottom of the Notepad window. When off, the bottom of the Notepad window is blank.

The first image displays the cursor clicking the "Status bar" option in the menu below the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The "Status bar" option has a small check mark on the left side. At the bottom of the Notepad window is the status bar that displays the line and column number, the number of characters, and the zoom percentage. The second image displays the cursor hovering over the “Status bar” option in the menu below the “View” button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The “Status bar” option does not have a small check mark on the left side. The bottom of the Notepad window is blank and does not have a status bar.

 

How to Add/Remove Word Wrap With Menu

  • Step 1: Go to upper left of the Notepad window and click the "View" button.

 The image displays the cursor clicking the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The edited Notepad window displays the text of "This file has been edited".

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Word wrap" to toggle this option on or off. When on, the Notepad does not display a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the window. When off, Notepad displays a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the window.
     
    The first image displays the maximized, edited Notepad window with a paragraph of text. The cursor hovers over the "Word wrap" option in the menu below the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The "Word wrap" option has a check mark on the left side, and there is no horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the window. The second image displays the same maximized and edited Notepad window, but there is a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the window. The cursor hovers over the "Word wrap" option in the menu below the "View" button in the upper left of the Notepad window. The "Word wrap" option does not have a check mark on the left side.


 

 

How to Add/Remove Word Wrap With Settings

  • Step 1: Go to the upper right of the Notepad window and click the "Settings" or gear button.

The image displays the cursor that clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the upper right of the Notepad window.

  • Step 2: In the Settings window that opens, go to the "Word wrap" section and click the button on the far right side, to toggle this option on or off.
In the first set of images, the top image displays the Notepad Settings window. On the far right side of the "Word wrap" section, the cursor clicks the button to toggle word wrap on. The bottom image displays the maximized, edited Notepad window without a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom. In the second set of images, the top image displays the Notepad Settings window. On the far right side of the "Word wrap" section, the cursor clicks the button to toggle word wrap off. The image below displays a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the edited, maximized Notepad window.

-Word wrap on: The bottom of the Notepad window does not display a horizontal scroll bar. 

-Word wrap off: The bottom of the Notepad window displays a horizontal scroll bar.


How to Change Notepad App Theme Color

  • Step 1: Go to the upper right of the Notepad window and click the "Settings" or gear button.

The image displays the cursor that clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the upper right of the Notepad window.

 

  • Step 2: In the Settings window that opens, go to the "App theme" section and click the down arrow at the far right side.

In the Notepad Settings window, on the far right side of the "App theme" section, the cursor clicks the down arrow.

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click to choose from "Light", "Dark", or "Use system setting".
The first image displays the Notepad Settings window. Under the "App theme" section is a menu with three button options of "Light", "Dark", and "Use system setting". The second image displays the dark mode of the Notepad window.



How to Choose How  Files Are Opened

  • Step 1: Go to the upper right of the Notepad window and click the "Settings" or gear button.

 The image displays the cursor that clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the upper right of the Notepad window.

 

  • Step 2: In the Settings window that opens, go to the "Opening files" section and click the drop-down menu to choose either "Open in a new tab" or "Open in a new window".
In the first set of images, the top image displays the Notepad Settings window. On the far right side of the "Opening files" section, the cursor clicks the drop-down menu to select "Open in a new tab". The image below displays the Notepad window with two edited tabs. In the second set of images, the top image displays the Notepad Settings window. On the far right side of the "Opening files" section, the cursor clicks the drop-down menu to select "Open in a new window". The image below displays two edited Notepad windows.



How to Adjust When Notepad Starts

  • Step 1: Go to the upper right of the Notepad window and click the "Settings" or gear button.

 The image displays the cursor that clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the upper right of the Notepad window.

 

  • Step 2: In the Settings window that opens, go to the "When Notepad starts" section and click the down arrow at the far right side.

The image displays the Notepad Settings window. The cursor clicks the down arrow on the far right side of the "When Notepad starts" section.
 

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click one of the following options; "Open content from the previous session" or "Open a new window".  

In the first set of images, the top image displays the Notepad Settings window. The cursor clicks the "Open content from the previous session" option in the menu below the "When Notepad starts" section. The image below displays the reopened, edited Notepad window. In the second set of images, the top image displays the Notepad Settings window. The cursor clicks the "Open a new window" option in the menu below the "When Notepad starts" section. The image below displays the reopened, empty Notepad window.

 

After selecting "Open content from the previous session": 

-A saving confirmation message does not appear when edited, unsaved Notepad windows are closed.

-When closing and reopening an edited, unsaved Notepad window, the reopened window keeps the content from the previous session.

 

After selecting "Open a new window":

-A saving confirmation message appears when edited, unsaved Notepad windows are closed.

-When closing and reopening an edited, unsaved Notepad window, the reopened window does not have any of the previous content.

 

 

Keep a copy of these instructions with this PDF tutorial.