C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE is not a valid Win32 application.

[-db-]

C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE is not a valid Win32 application.

I use it every day for taking notes, domain stuff (etc.) but suddenly it just quit working and that's the error message I get when trying to open it up. I have rebooted my machine but that didn't help. I have no idea what happened, and nothing else on the computer is affected.

Before I go searching the web, does anybody know a quick fix?

 

[Eric]

Hmm...not sure, never encountered that before. Maybe try a system restore? Found this:

Question:

Not a valid Win32 application.

Additional information:

Often this error message will be similar to the below error message.

C:\Program Files\myprogram\program.exe is not a valid Win32 application.

Cause:

This issue can be caused by any of the below possibilities.

1. File is corrupt, bad, or missing.
2. File is not designed for your version of Windows.
3. File is a virus, worm, or other malware file.
4. Hardware incompatibility.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000726.htm

 

[ThreeD]

My friend had the same problem after he got a trojan on his computer. It replaced the original notepad.exe with the same filename and extension, and took a backup of the original notepad file. Go check out system folder if your notepad.exe file is still there, or if it has been replaced.

Otherwise, Eric's link has a couple of other solutions as well..

 

[-db-]

Eric and ThreeD, thank you my friends.

I'm off to check it out....

 

[adam_uk]

if you want me to zip up a copy of my pc and link you it i can do, lemme know.

 

[Robert Allen]

Install notepad ++. I use it and it is a lot better than notepad.

 

[-db-]

Thanks to everybody that took time to reply, and tried to help. I appreciate it very much. :tu:

My nephew fixed it for me this afternoon, and all is back to normal.

Thanks again guys!