How to uninstall Notepad app on Windows 10

Notepad is now an optional feature on Windows 10, so you can now easily add or remove it – here's how.

Uninstall Notepad on Windows 10
Uninstall Notepad on Windows 10

On Windows 10, Notepad is a simple note-taking application that has been around for many years, and it was designed to provide basic functionalities to edit text files. Usually, it’s the app of choice for programers to write or edit code.

In previous versions, the app was part of the Windows 10 core features that made it impossible to remove, but starting with version 2004, Notepad is becoming an optional feature, which you can uninstall if you don’t use it, or you want to free up a little more space. Of course, once the app is removed, you can always reinstall it using the Optional features settings.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to uninstall (and install) the Notepad app on Windows 10 version 2004 and higher releases.

How to uninstall Notepad using Settings

How do I uninstall Notepad from Windows 10? Use these steps:

  1. Open Settings on Windows 10.

  2. Click on Apps.

  3. Click on Apps & features.

  4. Under the “Apps & features” section, click on the Optional features option.

    Apps & features settings, Optional features option
    Apps & features settings, Optional features option
  5. Select the Notepad item.

  6. Click the Uninstall button.

    Uninstall Notepad on Windows 10
    Uninstall Notepad on Windows 10
  7. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, the basic note-taking app will be removed from your computer.

How to install Notepad using Settings

To install Notepad, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Apps.

  3. Click on Apps & features.

  4. Under the “Apps & features” section, click on the Optional features option.

    Apps & features settings, Optional features option
    Apps & features settings, Optional features option
  5. Click the Add a feature button.

    Optional features settings, add a feature option
    Optional features settings, add a feature option
  6. Check the Notepad option.

    Install Notepad using Optional features
    Install Notepad using Optional features
  7. Click the Install button.

After you complete the steps, the Notepad app will be installed on your device.

In the case that you can’t find the settings to install or uninstall, it’s likely that you’re not running the version of Windows 10 (2004) that makes Notepad an optional feature.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.