Notepad windows 11 recent files
Posted by Adosni@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 12 comments
In Windows 11, Notepad keeps restoring tabs from the previous session and showing recent files when opened.
I'm trying to disable this behavior for all users as a company policy, so that it always opens clean.
I've tried deleting the program's state files using scripts, but it's not a reliable solution because on many computers, users don't log off or restart for extended periods.
I haven't found any clear option in settings or policies to control this.
Does anyone know if there's an official way to do this, or is it simply not possible to manage it this way?
Antoine-UY@reddit
https://download.microsoft.com/download/72ea16a9-4cc9-4032-945d-3a56a483d034/WindowsNotepadAdminTemplates.cab
Adosni@reddit (OP)
Appreciate the help đź‘Ť
Antoine-UY@reddit
No worries. And sorry about the dumb passive agressive note which soured the end of my earlier comment. I think I was too tired, and a little hungry. Tell us how you fare.
BrentNewland@reddit
I'm guessing you're trying to push scripts via GPO.
You need an actual RMM platform that will let you run scripts.
Antoine-UY@reddit
No, you don't.
googsem@reddit
Remove notepad and force classic notepad?
Kumorigoe@reddit
Why?
mossman@reddit
Not OP but I have seen sensitive stuff on end users machines when opening Notepad to do a quick copy/paste operation.
Adosni@reddit (OP)
That setting definitely helps, but the issue is that it’s a per-user setting, not something we can enforce centrally, in a managed environment, we can’t rely on users to configure Notepad correctly themselves, and there doesn’t seem to be a Group Policy or registry setting that lets us enforce “Start new session and discard unsaved changes” across all users.
So while it solves the problem on an individual machine if configured, it doesn’t meet the requirement of being centrally managed and consistently applied across the whole company.
Friendly_Guy3@reddit
I mean you can . The settings are just a file . I had my problem for example with the snipping tool , the behavior to save every screenshot to drive was a nightmare. I used a script to copy the intented settings file with active setup to the user profile. Copyying the file to the default user folder was not taking any effect. But this route solved my problem. Maybe also try this route. User can Change this behavior, if they figure it out .
CobaltFrame@reddit
Disable notepad and enforce the use of an approved text editor.
Adosni@reddit (OP)
emoving or blocking it tends to create more friction than it solves. We’re not trying to replace it , just make its behavior consistent and safe.