How to Open WordPad in Windows 10

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WordPad is a free and simple word processing application that was introduced in Windows 95 and is still around in Windows 10. It is not as simple as Notepad nor advanced as Microsoft Word, and it is somewhat limited. [1] [2] This wikiHow will show you all the methods of opening WordPad on Windows 10 devices.

Things You Should Know

  • WordPad is an alternative program to Notepad and Microsoft Word.
  • WordPad can easily and quickly be opened with Windows Search.
  • You can use a variety of methods to open WordPad in Windows 10.
Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

Using Windows Search

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This is the quickest method.

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    If it's missing, then click on the Start
    Windows Start
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    button.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

Accessing through "All Apps" List in the Start Menu

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The Start menu contains a list of all software installed on your PC. WordPad is hidden under the "Windows Accessories" folder of the list.

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  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/85\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-5.jpg\/aid9050086-v4-728px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can also scroll if you've configured it to show on the tiles page.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-6.jpg\/aid9050086-v4-728px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

Running through the Dialog Window

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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

Searching with File Explorer

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This is the built-in file management app that also stores system files, including WordPad.

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    Open File Explorer . You can do this quickly by clicking the taskbar icon
    Windows File Explorer
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    or pressing ⊞ Win + E .
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    Hit ↵ Enter or click the right arrow → .
    • You can also manually navigate to the folder, replacing "%SystemDrive%" with your drive letter (usually C: ).
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-13.jpg\/aid9050086-v4-728px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It might have ".exe" at the end of the name depending on your file viewing settings.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Using the Command Prompt

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    One way is to right-click the Start
    Windows Start
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    button and click Command Prompt . [3]
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-16.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-16.jpg\/aid9050086-v4-728px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Opening with Windows PowerShell

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WordPad can be opened through PowerShell, which is an alternative to Command Prompt. [4]

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    Type powershell into the taskbar search bar (or launch the Start
    Windows Start
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    menu and type if the bar is missing).
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    Ignore any advanced results that may appear (such as "PowerShell ISE" and "PowerShell (x86)"). [5]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-19.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-19.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-19.jpg\/aid9050086-v4-728px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-19.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Depending on your computer, there might be a delay of up to 5 seconds until this appears.
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  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-21.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-21.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-21.jpg\/aid9050086-v4-728px-Open-WordPad-in-Windows-10-Step-21.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
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Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I change the margins in WordPad for Windows 10?
    Community Answer
    Clicking Page Setup from the File tab will open the Page Setup dialog. In the bottom-right corner of the dialog, you will see the margin settings in millimeters. Simply adjust these values, then click OK.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 3
  • Question
    When I save something in WordPad on Windows 10, it won't reopen in WordPad?
    Top Source
    Community Answer
    After creating your file, take care save your file with .doc so it will open always.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 2
  • Question
    I recently installed Windows 10 and have had problems ever since with words that have double letters when using either Notepad or Wordpad. Example installed, it will; only puts one "l" in the word.
    Sajeel Rajput
    Community Answer
    It may be a keyboard fault. If so, the best way to resolve this error reinstall Notepad in Windows 10.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
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      Tips

      • Create a shortcut and put it anywhere on your PC, including your desktop . Use %windir%\write.exe or %SystemDrive%/Program Files/Windows NT/Accessories/WordPad.exe as the file location. [6]
        Thanks
      • To reset WordPad to its default settings, start by opening the Registry Editor . Enter HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Wordpad into the top address bar (or navigate manually if you don't have the Creators Update). Right-click the "Options" key in the left pane, press Delete , and confirm the deletion. If WordPad is open, close it and reopen it to apply the reset. [7]
        Thanks
      • Once WordPad is open, pin it to the taskbar. Right-click on the taskbar icon and select Pin to taskbar .
        Thanks
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      Things You'll Need

      • Device running Windows 10

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      References

      1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WordPad&oldid=789239659
      2. ↑ https://www.howtogeek.com/299490/whats-the-difference-between-notepad-and-wordpad-in-windows/
      3. ↑ https://www.digitalcitizen.life/open-cmd/
      4. ↑ https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/f94c9dfb-20de-485d-9093-1f7a154ac4c4/what-is-the-difference-between-the-command-prompt-and-windows-powershell?forum=w7itproperf
      5. ↑ https://www.isunshare.com/windows-10/5-ways-to-open-windows-powershell-in-windows-10.html
      6. ↑ https://www.isunshare.com/windows-10/create-wordpad-shortcut-in-windows-10.html
      7. ↑ http://www.isumsoft.com/windows-10/how-to-open-and-use-wordpad-in-windows-10.html#part4
      8. https://www.isunshare.com/windows-10/6-ways-to-open-wordpad-in-windows-10.html
      9. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Program_Files&oldid=703192088 - System drive directory address bar entry
      1. http://www.thewindowsclub.com/wordpad-windows-10

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