Windows 11 has an abundance of great features, and one of them is the simple and lightweight Notepad. Notepad is a time-honored application that has been with us over the course of most versions of Windows.

Table Of Contents

Steps to open Notepad in Windows 11
How to create a permanent shortcut to Notepad
- 1. Right-click on the Notepad icon in the Taskbar
- 2. Left-click on ‘Pin to taskbar’
Conclusion

To open Notepad, left-click on the Search icon in the Taskbar and type in notepad. Ensure the ‘All’ tab is selected, and it will be the application listed at the top under ‘Best match’. Next, click on ‘Notepad’ to open it.

Now I will add more detailed information to show you exactly how to open notepad quickly and easily and to save a shortcut to your taskbar to make it super easy the next time you want to open it.

Steps to open Notepad in Windows 11

Here is a clear set of steps to follow, so you can get to using Notepad right away.

1. Left-click on the Search icon in the Taskbar

Hover your mouse pointer over the icon that looks like a magnifying glass (Search icon) and press the left mouse button.

2. Make sure the ‘All’ tab is selected

Move your mouse pointer onto the All tab and left-click it to ensure that it’s selected if it’s not already underlined.

3. Type ‘notepad’ into the search bar

Left-click on the search bar and type in notepad using your keyboard.

4. Select Notepad

Move the mouse pointer over the listed Notepad app and press the left mouse button to open it.

And there you have it. Simple, easy, and now you’ve got everyone’s go-to text editor open for you to use for any number of tasks.

How to create a permanent shortcut to Notepad

If you want the application always accessible in an instant, I’ll show you how you can pin it to your Taskbar in a matter of moments.

Now that you have Notepad opened up, by following the steps above, do the following to pin it permanently.

1. Right-click on the Notepad icon in the Taskbar

While hovering your mouse pointer over the Notepad icon in the Taskbar, press the right mouse button, and a contextual menu will appear.

2. Left-click on ‘Pin to taskbar’

With your mouse pointer over the ‘Pin to taskbar’ option, press the left mouse button to pin it to your taskbar permanently.

You can unpin it the same way if you ever want to remove it in the future.

You also have the ability to left-click (and hold the mouse button down) on the icon once it’s pinned and drag it across the Taskbar to place it anywhere you want between the other icons you have, then release the mouse button to keep it there.

Conclusion

As mentioned before, Notepad is an all-time favorite, but why should you struggle to find it? After this procedure, you won’t have to think about it ever again.

The handy pin feature allows you to keep it where you will always access it in your Taskbar for extra fast convenience.