Cannot update portable version -- Windows keeps using old version even though it's deleted
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Updated the portable version by deleting the old version and creating a new folder and unzipping into it. And when I click on the new Notepad++.exe, the new version runs. But when I click on any text file, it opens in the old version! I have cleared out appdata/Local/Temp, appdata/Roaming/Notepad++, and Windows/Prefetch, but it is still happening.
SOMEWHERE the old exe file is lurking. Where?
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@helpdata
Firstly look at your list of installed applications. If you can rule out any “installed” version then you may have to search the whole PC.The appdata folder is not used by the portable Notepad++ version as it is meant to operate self contained. That is to say within the folder you created to store the unzipped files.
As you say when opening a file it opens the version you do not want, maybe looking at the settings and preferences of that version may give you clues to its location. Realise that removing this version will remove it as the “default application” to open those files. So you will need to reset the application you do want to use.
Terry
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@helpdata
Just remembered that the debug info should give you the location. So run the “wrong” version by opening a text file. Then click on the?icon on the right of the main menu, then click on “debug info”. There should be a line showing the location of the EXE file.Terry
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Thanks.
The program is not listed under installed applications. And there are no folders for NP++ in c:\program files or c:\programs file(86).
If I search the whole PC for “notepad++.exe”, the new portable versions comes up, as expected, plus C:\Windows\Prefetch\NOTEPAD++.EXE-77FFE6E3.pf
I previously emptied Prefetch, but I will now go ahead and delete that again and report back (have to run and do something right now).
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Ok, back home, and I did as you suggested.
Lo and behold, this is what I found:
Path : H:\Software\Notepad++\notepad++.exeMy H drive is a backup drive that I do not index in my search tool (I use Everything by voidtools, very useful app).
However, how could this happen?
I went several times into Windows default apps and specifically picked out the Notepad++.exe on my I: drive as the default app to use for TXT files. Somehow, Windows keeps finding the backed up instance and uses that. WTF?
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@helpdata
About the only thing I can offer is, dont use drives that can be offline at times for storing a “default application”.I would recommend that if you specifically need to use the portable version of Notepad++, store it in a location which will always be available to Windows, such as C: drive.
In fact using a portable version of Notepad++ has issues, specifically when it comes time to update it. If you need to maintain version control, install the normal version and then turn off the option of “auto-updater” under the MISC section of Settings, Preferences. You can still select “Update Notepad++” (under the
?menu), or just download a more recent version and install it. It will overwrite the required files of the version you were using.Terry
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@Terry-R The I: drive where the portable version has always lived, is always online (a Samsung SSD) and available to Windows 11.
I can only conclude that this is a Windows issue, a bug. Windows has a long history of not playing nicely with portable apps.
Maybe this thread will help someone else in the future.
I got so frustrated today that I actually downloaded Sublime Text as an alternative, but I am finding it inferior to NP++ (just try a search in a file --Find All in Current Document-- to see how clunky it is).
The one issue I have with NP++ is the truly awful program icon, with it’s Win 3.1 1990s design. Time to move on from the green lizard guys!
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@helpdata said in Cannot update portable version -- Windows keeps using old version even though it's deleted:
I can only conclude that this is a Windows issue, a bug
Well, you don’t know the reason it changed the default application. It may have been you to make that occur even if you deny that was the case.
Personally I would just install Notepad++ and then if I needed to maintain version control turn off the auto-updater option as I stated in the previous post.
But it’s your system, do as you see fit. If you didn’t make the problem appear, then it’s likely your idea of using a “non installed” app as a default app that is setting the condition for a repeat issue to appear at a later stage.
Terry
PS your statement of “The I: drive where the portable version has always lived,” is clearly incorrect as has been proven.
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@Terry-R said in Cannot update portable version -- Windows keeps using old version even though it's deleted:
@helpdata said in Cannot update portable version -- Windows keeps using old version even though it's deleted:
Well, you don’t know the reason it changed the default application. It may have been you to make that occur even if you deny that was the case.
As I said, I REPEATEDLY changed the default app for text files to the I: drive version. I literally navigated again and again to that drive and set that version of the program as default. It did not “take” in Windows, perhaps because the executable had the same name, so Windows decided it’s the same program and did not update. A bug.
Personally I would just install Notepad++ and then if I needed to maintain version control turn off the auto-updater option as I stated in the previous post.
I’m considering that, although I do like portable apps. Any more problems and that’s what I’ll do.
PS your statement of “The I: drive where the portable version has always lived,” is clearly incorrect as has been proven.
Um, no, it has always been on the I: drive, and the I: drive is backed up to the H: drive. This is definitely a Windows issue. Until recently, Windows did not even allow portable apps to be set as default apps:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2795276/is-it-no-longer-possible-to-make-a-portable-prograAnyway, thanks for the help.
