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Frankly speaking, Window’s Notepad is sux. It cannot open big text file and VERY limited function(got function meh?)

Therefore, I always use MetaPad as my default text editor instead of Notepad. Metapad is small and fast, complete with useful functions. The ideal notepad replacement.

Due to the Windows File Protection of Microsoft Windows 2000/XP, replace the default Notepad with program of your choice is not as easy as you think.

MetaPad website has instructions to do that on Windows 2000 and Windows XP. However, the Windows 2000 tip does not work for me. (Windows XP tip works, I tried in my office. )

So, here is LcF’s way to replace Windows 2000 (works with SP4) Notepad(and other Windows protected files as well, maybe).

Warning: For advance user only. Do it at your own risk.

1. Decide the notepad replacement you want to use(MetaPad, in my case) and copy the execuable file(.exe) to Desktop(easy to find later) and rename it to notepad.exe.
2. Goto Start > Run… and Open: SFC /PURGECACHE This will purge the Windows protected files backup. The following screenshot will come out after you run the command.
   
   Then, it will ask for Windows 2000 CD.
   
   Do not bother it. Click Cancel button twice (each for above dialog).
3. We are almost done! Rename notepad.exe in C:\WINNT and C:\WINNT\system32. (Assume your Windows 2000 installation folder is C:\WINNT)
4. Remember our renamed notepad.exe in Step 1? Copy it into C:\WINNT, C:\WINNT\system32 AND C:\WINNT\system32\dllcache (You need to disable “Hide protected operating system files” under Folder Options first before you can see dllcache folder)

   When you put your copy of notepad.exe into the folders, you will get this:
   

   
   Again, click Cancel button.
5. Done! Kiss goodbye to Windows notepad!

Warning: For advance user only. Do it at your own risk.

*phew~ wipe of sweats*

Thought:
Windows File Protection is used to detect and restore Windows protected files replacement. It may be helpful to keep your Windows stable and secure. Read more about Windows File Protection at Microsoft.

There are registry keys to disable Windows File Protection, but they do not work without kernel debugger(what is this?!).

Bottom line:
If you just want to replace notepad.exe, try the simple way first. So far, there is NO WAY to disable Windows File Protection forever on Windows 2000 SP1 and above.

[Updated: 5 Sep 2004]: There IS a registry hack to disable Windows File Protection forever. Windows 2000 SP2 or Windows XP user need hex editor to edit SFC.DLL (or SFC_OS.DLL for Windows XP).

Again, DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Read also:

• Restrict Access Using Htaccess on Windows
• How to disable mod_security in .htaccess file
• Quick Guide to Windows Vista File System
• Make Your Own Flock Extensions
• Always Use Protection