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![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(12.8, 18%, 11%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EGS%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
When I double-click on a .rtf file in File Explorer,
it opens Wordpad properly.
Settings>Apps>Default apps search for .rtf confirms Wordpad RTF file
If I right-click a .rtf file in in File Explorer,
and select 'Open with', 2 Wordpad entries are displayed.
Selecting the upper entry causes it to loop.
Selecting the lower entry works properly.
How do I remove the invalid entry from Open with ?
I'm assuming there will be a registry entry
but I have no idea where to look.
I believe it has something to do with the
rtf_shellnew_windows_11.reg file that I used from
https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/new-rich-text-format-missing-windows-11/
to restore the rtf option from the right-click menu
The site displays the contents of the .reg file towards the bottom,
and instructions for removing the entry.
I opened the registry editor,
deleted the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.rtf\ShellNew branch,
and re-booted.
I set the Default app for .rtf to Wordpad
Open with still shows 2 Wordpad entries.
Where do I check next ?
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(86.4, 71%, 18%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ERS%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
rtf_remove.reg.txt to rtf_remove.regrtf_remove.reg to run it. Click Yes to confirm.See if that removes the WordPad entries from Open With...
Hi George,
Let's query the file association settings for the .rtf file type. Please do the following:
Download FileTypeDiag and run the program.
In the text box, type .rtf and click Save.
It outputs a file association report for the said file type. Upload the file in your next reply.
Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.
Here's the output from FileTypeDiag for .rtf rtf.txt
Please check if the following files exist:
C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\WordPad\wordpad.exe
C:\Program Files\WordPad\wordpad.exe
(References to the missing item needs to be removed from the registry.)
C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\WordPad\wordpad.exe exists 2,864 KB
C:\Program Files\WordPad folder exists and contains
en-us folder
unins000.dat 20 KB
unins000.exe 3,146 KB
wordpad.exe 2,868 KB
Please uninstall the WordPad app temporarily.
Then, rerun FileTypeDiag and post the fresh .rtf association report.
There was a lot more to this thread that doesn't show and has the actual answer.
There was a .reg file that actually cleared everything and made it possible to run the third party app.
The instructions were:
Please create a System Restore Point. (Ref: System Restore | Microsoft Support)
Download rtf_remove.reg.txt
Rename rtf_remove.reg.txt to rtf_remove.reg
Double-click rtf_remove.reg to run it.
Click Yes to confirm. See if that removes the WordPad…
It did.
I believe the file to re-install Wordpad in Windows 11 is https://win7games.com/#wordpad
the file should be called wordpad-2.0-setup.exe
Download the file, rename it by removing the .txt, double-click the .exe to run.
Ramesh Srinivasan did all the heavy listing - I just followed instructions.
There was a lot more to this thread that doesn't show and has the actual answer.
Please refresh this page. I've converted a comment to answer.
Thank you Ramesh. I got all tangled up trying to mark the answer and wanted to be sure you got proper credit.
@George Sinkinson Thank you for marking it. 👍
Created restore point
Downloaded rtf_remove.reg.txt
Renamed to rtf_remove.reg
double clicked it
No more references to Wordpad when double-cliicking a .rtf file
No more Open with Option with right click.
No Wordpad showing in Installed Apps.
Still show wordpad references in Accessories
What's the best way to restore it?
WordPad has been removed in Windows 11 24H2 and higher.
You can reinstall WordPad using the third-party app you may have used before.
Please see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/a/8171131
Solved
Damn you're good !!!
Ran wordpad-2.0-setup.exe
Everything back to normal
Double click and Open with ok
Thank you Thank you Thank you
have a good evening
Hi George,
I'm glad to hear that the issue has been sorted.
If all is resolved, feel free to mark the answer for this thread. Otherwise, please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.
I uninstalled Wordpad, rebooted the system, and ran FileTypeDiag again.
The original txt response is now rtf_before.txt. rtf_before.txt
The response after removing wordpad is rtf_after.txt
Right-click now shows 2 invalid Wordpad entries and both loop.
Do you recognize the thumbnail icon?