notepad2 for windows 7
download the newest notepad2 version 4.1.24 http://www.flos-freeware.ch
One registry key change (you need administrator / elevated permissions) and it can replace Windows 7 notepad
Create a batch file (e.g. text file named n2-replace.bat) (in the same directory as notepad2.exe ) Right click on the batch file and "Run as administrator"
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe" /v "Debugger" /t REG_SZ /d "\"%~dp0Notepad2.exe\" /z" /f
This is the command to return Windows 7 Notepad
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\notepad.exe" /f
http://www.flos-freeware.ch/doc/notepad2-Replacement.html