Windows cannot find c:\windows\system32\notepad.exe

Question

I have a Windows 7 PC, and since a couple of days ago if I try to open notepad i get the following error:

Windows cannot find C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and they try again.

By performing a search I found that notepad.exe in c:\windows, c:\windows\system and c:\windows\system32, and in all three locations I have tried to replace it with the file taken from another Windows 7 PC but I get the same error.

Answer 1

Just for your information, here's the reason why there are multiple locations for Notepad:

Windows 3.0 put Notepad in the Windows directory. Windows NT put it in the System32 directory.

Notepad is perhaps the most commonly hardcoded program in Windows. many Setup programs use it to view the Readme file, and you can use your imagination to come up with other places where a program or batch file or printed instructions will hard-code the path to Notepad.

The article is an interesting read. If you want more information, read also the comments for more insight into the matter.

Answer 2

Are you sure the path in the error message you typed here is exactly as it is in the error message you see? If the file exists, as you found when you searched, it shouldn't throw this error message.

What have you installed or modified in the last couple days? Can you go back to a System Restore point prior to those changes?

Answer 3

How are you opening notepad? Try open a command prompt and typing in C:\Windows\system32\notepad.exe and see if that works. If it does, try recreate the shortcut.

It all else fails, maybe you could try install Notepad2 over notepad.

Answer 4

Search with Everything. If it's there, anywhere, it'll find it. You only need to search a few key elements, so just notepad.exe will do it. If no result, then it's gone.

You could of course take this opportunity to replace it with an alternative. I'd recommend notepad2.

Answer 5

The correct notepad is in C:\Windows\notepad.exe. That's the one that's started on my computer.

Try to launch it directly, by running "C:\Windows\notepad.exe" and see if it starts.

If it starts correctly, then something is wrong with the path.
If it doesn't start, then something is wrong with the permissions on notepad.exe.