Update lost configuration, can't find a "fix" that sticks
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I recently updated my Notepad++ to version 8.5.3 by clicking on the pop-up offering same.
But I have lost the ability to highlight files in Explorer, then click on “Edit with Notepad++” and have a single instance of Notepad++ open with all of the files in tabs. Instead, I get multiple windows with one file each.
Opening Notepad++ and then dragging the files into it from Explorer does open them in tabs (which is a necessity because of the need to perform search/replace across all files simultaneously).
I checked “Always in multi-instance mode” under Settings>Preferences (it was unchecked after the upgrade) but that has had no effect. I have gone through all of the screens in Preferences and I didn’t see anything else that applies.
Setting aside my irritation at having the previous configuration lost during a routine upgrade (WHY?), I would like to restore the way Notepad++ worked before, but I am at a loss over what else to try.
Hoping you all can help, as you did back in January … and that I will learn in the process, as I did then.
Thanks in advance.
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@PeterJones Thank you, Peter. Apparently I missed those when I was frantically searching the Community for an answer.
At least now I know that I am neither losing my mind or that Windows is losing its!
Is there perhaps a way to revert to the last version without this problem in the interim until it is fixed (which will be obvious because it will come with another pop-up upgrade notice)?
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@K-M-Richards said in Update lost configuration, can’t find a “fix” that sticks:
Is there perhaps a way to revert to the last version without this problem in the interim
To do that, download and run the installer for the version that works for you.
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@PeterJones Well, I went back to version 8.3.1, which was what I had been using before this update … and invoking the “Edit with Notepad++” on multiple highlighted files in Explorer is still opening multiple instances of Notepad++ …!
I am thinking that perhaps the glitch in the new version changed some registry entry in Windows so now the previous version has “inherited” the bad habits.
Since opening Notepad++ and then dragging the files to it does open them in tabs, I think I will just have to resign myself to doing it that way until a future release solves the problem. (Hopefully the bad behavior won’t get inherited when that release is available …)
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@K-M-Richards ,
If you’re willing. Just uninstall Notepad++'s standard install, and then search the registry for every instance of “Notepad++” and delete the key completely and then reboot, reinstall Notepad++ and that should clear up the errant issues and allow you to reinstall with the shortcut set. I had to do it once myself, because I had both 32 and 64 bit versions installed as standard installs a couple years ago and was having issues. It should work for your issue as well, and also use that earlier working version when you reinstall.If it still fails to give you the shortcut, then you can still do the direct registry hack to make it work like you want. I’ve had to do that also. :-)
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@Lycan-Thrope Thanks for the suggestion. I am quite comfortable and proficient in editing the registry so that’s definitely worth a try.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: This community is absolutely wonderful about helping.
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@Lycan-Thrope That did the trick, all right. I’m back on version 8.3.1 and the multi-instance setting is working.
I think perhaps since that release works so well on my machine, I’ll just reject the updates until and unless I see a compelling reason to accept one.
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@K-M-Richards ,
Glad that worked for you, I thought it might. Feel free to use the version that works for you, as I’m glad old versions are available to be downloaded, as not all software developers keep their old programs to be used after they’ve moved on to a newer version.