MSConfig Opens in Notepad on Windows 7 [Solved]

In the past few years, we have seen several cases where MSConfig opens in Notepad on Windows 7. The characters in the text editor are all illegible, and you can’t make any changes to the PC. This is usually caused by incorrect file association, malware infection, and corrupt system files.

Similarly, you may even find Regedit.exe opening in Notepad or all programs opening in Notepad on Windows 7. Let’s find out how you can fix all these problems at once!

What can I do if MSConfig opens in Notepad on Windows 7?

1. Correct the file associations (default apps)

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type regedit in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
3. Paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts
4. Right-click on the .exe key, and select Delete.
5. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
6. Now, restart the PC and Windows will automatically clear any misconfigured file associations and revert them to default.

If you have ever manually tried opening MSConfig with Notepad on Windows 7, it may have set the choice as default. In this case, you should clear the file associations via Registry.

In case that doesn’t work, modifying the value data will do the trick when .exe files are not opening in Windows 7.

2. Repair the corrupt system files

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd in the text field, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
3. Paste the following DISM commands individually and hit Enter after each: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Next, execute this command to run the SFC scan: sfc /scannow
5. Finally, reboot the PC.

3. Run a malware scan

1. Open Windows Defender or Windows Security Essentials on your PC via the Search menu.
2. In the Home tab, choose Full from the right, and click on the Scan now button.
3. Wait for the scan to complete, and if any virus/malware is found, make sure that it’s deleted.
4. Restart the computer and check for improvements.

In case you haven’t manually changed the file associations and MSConfig still opens in Notepad on Windows 7, malware/viruses are known to do that. So, I recommend you run a full system scan to remove any possible threats.

Also, if the built-in Windows Security Essentials doesn’t help, use an effective third-party antivirus solution!

4. Perform a system restore

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type rstrui.exe in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Click on Next to proceed.
3. Select the Choose a different restore point option, and click Next.
4. Pick a restore point created before the issue with MSConfig first appeared and click Next.
5. Verify the restore details and click Finish.
6. Click Yes in the confirmation prompt, let the restore complete, and then check for improvements.

5. Reset/reinstall Windows 7

If nothing else works, you can always reset Windows 7 to factory defaults. This will revert every setting to default and delete any third-party apps that might be causing MSConfig to open in Notepad on Windows 7.

In case that too fails, the last option is to reinstall Windows 7. While Microsoft doesn’t officially offer the OS anymore, you can download the Windows 7 ISO from other sources. Once done, create a bootable USB and then reinstall Windows 7 via it!

After you are done with the reinstall, neither MSConfig nor any other .exe file will open in Notepad on Windows 7, and you can proceed with installing the apps that were wiped out in the process.

Besides, if you find the PC running slow, get an effective optimizer software for Windows 7!

Which fix worked for you? Share with our readers in the comments section.