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When I already have textpad open, I would like to add another file to that instance of Textpad from the Windows File Explorer. If I right click on the file in File Explorer and choose either Open or Send to --> Textpad, it opens the file but in a new instance of Textpad. How do I get it to open in the existing instance?

Configure > Preferences > General
UNcheck "Allow multiple instances to run"
but do check "Allow multiple files on the command line"


If you ever want to launch a new instance of TextPad, you still can if you create a shortcut to textpad followed by the -m switch.

Example: "C:\Program Files\TextPad\TextPad.exe" -m
I think it's useful to put such a shortcut in Windows' send to menu. (For example, I can highlight 5 files and open them in one textpad window, highlight 10 other files and open them in new instance of textpad. I can drag and drop individual files to the particular window I want them in.

Hope that helps

Thanks! that did it.

Ok, I think I have the reverse to this problem
so, new file are forced to be opened in the same textpad 4.7.2 window, tried everything
- unchecking allow multiple instances
-checked it again
-checked allow multiple files on command line
-unchecked it again
I tried to edit the file types
so on advanced edit 'c' files
deleted the -s %1 at the path end and put -m and deleted the use DDE
it worked for .c files but how to do I edit all files including the send to and right click menu?
should I edit the registery?

Sure looks like you've done your homework, so this is just a long shot, go with your
routine but first make sure you close all open document's before you start. HTH

it looks like I'm getting more confused everytime

i edited this

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TextPad]
and copied the values from

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TextPad.c]

so that it looked like

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TextPad\shell\open\command]
@="C:\\PROGRA~1\\TEXTPA~1\\TextPad.exe -m %1"


and deleted the DDE key
NOW, textpad DOESN'T WORK in explorer contextmenu
so I put the old value again and didn't work so unchecked the contextmenu 'apply' then checked it again.
it still have one instance besides
when I open a file in explorer this file takes the focus and I can't turn it off without closing textpad?!!!!

any ideas otherthan RTFM!

walidaly wrote:any ideas otherthan RTFM!

Backup or write down any settings and try reinstalling TextPad?