Link to Edit with Notepad++ status/fix please

[Stanseas]

Open with submenu works fine, Edit with Notepad++ (right under Edit in Notepad) does nothing. I’ve seen “known issue” for older versions, not the latest.

If someone has found a workaround for this (other than not using it) I’d appreciate that info or a link to info on this I can track related to the most recent version of Notepad++.

Thank you!!
Screenshot 2024-12-21 075553.png

[PeterJones]

@Stanseas ,

You didn’t say which OS, or which precise version of Notepad++ you are using, both of which may be relevant; based on your screenshot, I’m guessing Win11. If it’s an older Notepad++ and Win11, then some older versions had some difficulties with the context menu for a while. (?-menu’s Debug Info would answer both.)

I am also wondering whether it’s the Edit with Notepad++ entry from the Shell Extension, as described in the User Manual, or whether it’s added as a registry entry.

If it’s the Shell Extension, maybe you could try to un-register then re-register the extension, as described further down in the User Manual link above. Or maybe un-register, then re-install Notepad++ (making sure to [install v8.7.1], which is the last confirmed-stable version). You can also reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes /s /f NppShell.dll: mine shows the following results:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{B298D29A-A6ED-11DE-BA8C-A68E55D89593}\InProcServer32
    (Default)    REG_SZ    C:\Program Files\Notepad++\contextMenu\NppShell.dll

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\PackagedCom\Package\NotepadPlusPlus_1.0.0.0_neutral__7njy0v32s6xk6\Class\{E6950302-61F0-4FEB-97DB-855E30D4A991}
    DllPath    REG_SZ    NppShell.dll

End of search: 2 match(es) found.

If it’s an old-fashioned registry entry (less likely if you’re in Win11), you can run regedit.exe and search for notepad++.exe, looking for an entry named Edit with Notepad++ (it may be &Edit with Notepad++ or Edit with &Notepad++, which is why I suggested searching for the executable name, which won’t change) – there might be an entry pointing to an old location (maybe the Program Files (x86)\ when your active one is really in Program Files\)

[Stanseas]

You are correct, I left out crucial details. Running Notepad++ v8.7.4 (64 bit) on Windows 11 Pro. I uninstalled that version and installed v8.7.1, same problem.

I got the same results when querying the registry. I tried unregistering and reregistering the dll, no change.

Am I to understand that it works for you?

Searching for Notepad++ I found an odd entry for ANotepad++64 under:
Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\ANotepad++64
Also (Default) value “Notepad++ Context menu” at:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\*\shell\ANotepad++64

Is removing the odd A an option? Or is that supposed to be there for that entry.

I found the NppShell.dll as the DllPath at:
Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PackagedCom\Package\NotepadPlusPlus_1.0.0.0_neutral__7njy0v32s6xk6\Class\{E6950302-61F0-4FEB-97DB-855E30D4A991}

At one point I found where Notepad and Notepad++ were in that menu and Notepad had an entry that Notepad++ didn’t, but for the life of me I can’t find it again.

Thank you for your time and expertise. If we can find the proper workaround it’ll be very popular.

-–
moderator: added `…` markdown around the registry keys, so that the \* and \{ render properly rather than escaping the character; see Formatting Forum Posts to learn how that works

[PeterJones]

@Stanseas said in Link to Edit with Notepad++ status/fix please:

Am I to understand that it works for you?

Yes, it works just fine for me.

I was hoping that the registry might show that some entries were pointing at the wrong path (or at least a different path) for notepad++.exe or the DLL, but you didn’t share the actual paths in the registry, just the names of the keys, so I just have to assume you didn’t notice the paths being different from where your actually Notepad++ is located.

The ANotepad++64 is a normal way for it to be named in the registry, though I don’t know why the A prefix was included.

I’m not sure what I’d look at next. Maybe someone else will have an idea of how to help you.

[Stanseas]

@PeterJones Yes, the paths were accurate. I have Notepad++ installed on a secondary drive with %APPDATA% path turned off - if you recall that install option. I tried installing on the default drive/path to no avail. I have added the PATH in my Environment settings to the dll’s and app just in case as well.

I wish there was a way to compare registries just for Notepadd++ with you. I’m glad it works for you, hopefully another method will present itself here. Thank you.