The tabbed interface and auto-saving feature of Notepad in Windows 11 have both advantages and disadvantages. The main disadvantage of these features is that when you open the same text file multiple times in Notepad, each instance opens in a new tab. This means you end up with Notepad displaying the same file in several tabs. Here’s how to fix this annoyance in Notepad on Windows 11.

Notepad offers an option to prevent files from opening in new tabs in Windows 11. It also provides a setting to avoid reopening the previously viewed file. Here’s how to adjust these settings in Notepad to prevent the same file from opening multiple times in new tabs and to stop the automatic reopening of the last viewed file.

How to Disable Opening the Same File in Multiple Tabs in Notepad?

1. Open the Notepad app on your Windows 11 PC and click the Settings button (cog wheel) at the top right of the window.

2. In Notepad settings, scroll down and under “Opening Notepad” option, click the dropdown menu “Opening Notepad.”

3. Select the option “Open in a new Window” and restart Notepad app.

The above settings will prevent the same file from opening in multiple tabs in Notepad. Instead, it will open your file in a new window each time you access it. Now, let me explain how to stop previously opened files from appearing in Notepad.

How to Stop Notepad Opening Previous File on Windows 11?

1. Open Notepad app, click the settings (cog wheel) and navigate to the “Opening Notepad” option.

2. Click the drop-down menu “When Notepad starts” and select “Open in a new window” option.

3. Restart the Notepad.

The above settings will prevent files from opening from previous sessions or open a new window. Notepad will open in a new window without restoring the previous content and tab interface.

Note: To restore the default features in Notepad, go to settings and revert the changes mentioned above.