How to Open Wordpad in Windows 10

This updated guide examines How to Open Wordpad in Windows 10 and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 6:

Using Windows Search

1. Click the search bar/icon on the taskbar. If it's missing, then click on the Startbutton.
2. Typewordpad.
3. Hit the?Enterkey or select the matching result.

Method 2of 6:

Accessing through "All Apps" List in the Start Menu

The Start menu contains a list of all software installed on your PC. WordPad is hidden under the "Windows Accessories" folder of the list.

1. Click on the Startbutton.
2. Open the All apps list from the left of the Start menu. You can also scroll if you've configured it to show on the tiles page.
3. Click the "Windows Accessories" folder.
4. Choose "WordPad".

Method 3of 6:

Running through the Dialog Window

1. Press the?Win+Rkeyboard keys at the same time.
2. Typewrite,wordpad, or%SystemDrive%/Program Files/Windows NT/Accessories/WordPad.exe.
3. Hit the?Enterkey or clickOK.

Method 4of 6:

Searching with File Explorer

This is the built-in file management app that also stores system files, including WordPad.

1. Open File Explorer. You can do this quickly by clicking the taskbar iconor pressing?Win+E.
2. Type%SystemDrive%/Program Files/Windows NT/Accessories. Hit?Enteror click the right arrow?.
   • You can also manually navigate to the folder, replacing "%SystemDrive%" with your drive letter (usuallyC:).
3. Open the "wordpad" executable file. It might have ".exe" at the end of the name depending on your file viewing settings.

Method 5of 6:

Using the Command Prompt

1. Open the Command Prompt. One way is to right-click the Startbutton and clickCommand Prompt.^[3]
2. Typewriteorwordpad.exe.
3. Hit?Enter.

Method 6of 6:

Opening with Windows PowerShell

WordPad can be opened through PowerShell, which is an alternative to Command Prompt.^[4]

1. Run Powershell. Typepowershellinto the taskbar search bar (or launch the Startmenu and type if the bar is missing).
2. Select "Windows PowerShell". Ignore any advanced results that may appear (such as "PowerShell ISE" and "PowerShell (x86)").^[5]
3. Wait until you see the Microsoft copyright info at the top. Depending on your computer, there might be a delay of as many as 5 seconds until this appears.
4. Typewrite.exe.
5. Hit?Enter.