How not to generate a copy when you open the same file

Shenmue-is-life

Hi,
Since I update Notepad, the app behavior has changed.

When I open a file that I already loaded in Notepad, Notepad will load the file again in a new tab rather get me back to the original tab.

However, it’s not systematic. Sometimes, Notepad works normally (e.g. doesn’t load a copy of the file) but I’ve no idea about the conditions to do so.

Terry R

@Shenmue-is-life said in How not to generate a copy when you open the same file:

Since I update Notepad, the app behavior has changed

Since you state you have updated the app, I presume it’s either version 8.0 or 8.1. If so it’s possible you may have stumbled across a bug. The location to advise the development team of bugs is here. However to do so you would also need to be able to replicate the problem. So you would need to know the exact circumstances where it occurs and to be able to repeat it. Currently you seem unable to do so.

There are other suggestions I can put forward:

If it is a problem and you cannot identify how it occurs but need it gone look at going back to version 7.9.5.
If wanting to stay on version 8.x look at downloading a portable version of the same (here). This version would be installed in a separate directory to your current one, although it is a copy of the app you are using. That way you could test to see if the same problem re-occurs.
Remove all the files in %appdata%\Notepad++ (%appdata% is a system variable that will likely point to your account local settings) and restart Notepad++. This has the effect to clearing out all the customisation’s, like a factory reset. If you don’t want to lose any settings, either backup the files in that folder before doing so, or do not take this option.

Good luck
Terry

Terry R

@Terry-R said in How not to generate a copy when you open the same file:

There are other suggestions I can put forward:

There is a 4th option:
4. If you use any plugins they may have caused the problem. use the ? on main menu and look at the command line arguments to run Notepad++ without any plugins and test again.

Terry

Shenmue-is-life

I ended to identify how it occurs.

The issue occurs when Notepad is completely minimized to the system tray and there’s no Notepad window minimized in the Windows bar.

So the workaround is simple:

Go to settings > preferences > miscellaneous > disable “Minimize to the system tray”.