Author Topic: How to create a new WordPad document? (Read 14467 times)

Shadow Vegan · « **on:** May 11, 2009, 07:59:58 PM »

This is probably a stupid question. I got a new laptop a few days ago, and am very happy with it. There is one small flaw and I am wondering if it can be fixed. When I right click and go to new, whether I be in documents, pictures, a jump drive, etc., there is no WordPad or Rich Text Document option. There is Microsoft Office Word Document, Journal Document, and Text Document as well as other things, however, I prefer WordPad to these. (Microsoft Word is okay to, but I only have a trial and I don't want to buy the full version, and I prefer WordPad regardless.) I know that WordPad is on my computer because I can access it through program files, as well as open documents with it. However it is not an option under New. Note: My laptop has Vista (although I hope to switch to XP soon), not sure if this makes a difference. If there is any way to create new WordPad documents (besides opening WordPad and saving a new document) please let me know! Thanks!

-SV

Broni · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2009, 08:09:31 PM »

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-any-application-to-the-desktop-right-click-menu-in-vista/

Shadow Vegan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2009, 08:42:35 PM »

Thanks a lot!

-SV

Edit: I followed those instructions and it kind of worked. When I try to right click and open WordPad, it says "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." Despite the fact that I am on the admin account... Also, is there a way to put it under "New" instead of on the main right click menu?

Thanks

-SV

Broni · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2009, 10:18:14 PM »

Try to take ownership of wordpad.exe: http://www.winxptutor.com/ownership.htm

Shadow Vegan · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2009, 02:35:45 PM »

I tried it, it didn't work... Is there a way to edit the list of items under "New" as opposed to being above "New"?

Thanks

-SV

Broni · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2009, 06:18:47 PM »

I'm not sure, but you can try reading here: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-more-tools-to-bring-power-to-the-right-click-menu-windows/

Karnac · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2009, 06:27:19 PM »

Maybe here....

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5032215.html

Helpmeh · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2009, 06:39:08 PM »

Quote from: Broni on May 11, 2009, 08:09:31 PM

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-any-application-to-the-desktop-right-click-menu-in-vista/

Could that work for XP?

Broni · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2009, 07:10:16 PM »

Another option would be just simply put Wordpad in QuickLaunch area, or....I have it here:

soybean · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2009, 09:18:35 PM »

Quote from: Shadow Vegan on May 11, 2009, 07:59:58 PM

When I right click ...

Right click where?

Helpmeh · « **Reply #10 on:** May 14, 2009, 05:58:27 AM »

Quote from: Broni on May 12, 2009, 07:10:16 PM

Another option would be just simply put Wordpad in QuickLaunch area, or....I have it here:

That's where I keep my old desktop files...it was getting so cluttered.

soybean · « **Reply #11 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:37:13 AM »

Quote from: Shadow Vegan on May 11, 2009, 07:59:58 PM

If there is any way to create new WordPad documents (besides opening WordPad and saving a new document) please let me know!

How else would you create a WordPad document? That's the normal prcoedure for doing it.

Once you have created documents with WordPad and saved them, then you should see WordPad as a option for opening the document when you right click on it. When you display your right click menu, you may need to click Open With and then select WordPad. This will depend on whether you have Microsoft Office or other word processors installed.

hey101 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 14, 2009, 04:26:34 PM »

I think he means that when you click wordpad on his right click menu it creates a new/blank document instead of just opening wordpad.

soybean · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2009, 04:30:47 PM »

Quote from: hey101 on May 14, 2009, 04:26:34 PM

... it creates a new/blank document instead of just opening wordpad.

Yep, that's normal. That's the way WordPad works. When it's launched, it opens a blank document.

hey101 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2009, 04:41:55 PM »

i mean like when i right click somewhere and click new/text document it adds a file called new document.txt wherever i right clicked.

I think he wants the same with wordpad.

soybean · « **Reply #15 on:** May 14, 2009, 05:37:10 PM »

Right clicking in a Windows Explorer window and selecting New, Text Document, will create a file named New Text Document.txt. But, that is not WordPad; that procedure does not involve WordPad. The default file format for WordPad files is .rtf (Rich Text Format).

hey101 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 14, 2009, 06:17:44 PM »

Which is what hes wanting to accomplish. Instead of a txt he wants an rtf file. when he right clicks and selects wordpad.

soybean · « **Reply #17 on:** May 14, 2009, 06:30:36 PM »

And, he will have an rtf file as soon as he saves a new document in the default, i.e. rtf, format.

hey101 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:24:25 PM »

I dont think you get it.

For example when I right click and select new -> new text document, it automatically places a blank text document where I right clicked.

He wants to do the same except with an rtf file. Like he wants to right click -> new -> wordpad document and have it automatically place a black rtf file where he right clicked. He does not want it to open up wordpad. He wants it to automatically place a blank rtf file where he right clicked.

If you still dont get it then I will have to make a video.

soybean · « **Reply #19 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:54:34 PM »

Well, if that's what he wants, I think he's not going to get it. It's not a normal function in Windows, so it would have to be some modification or installation of an add-on to Windows Explorer. Besides, what's the point of creating a blank rtf document that way? It would just be an empty document. What's the point?

hey101 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 14, 2009, 08:39:27 PM »

Im not sure but I think thats what he wants. I see no point in it myself. But then again i see no point in half the crap in windows.

Shadow Vegan · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2009, 03:24:18 PM »

Sorry I didn't post sooner, been busy and kinda forgot about this. Hey101 is correct... I want to be able to create a blank document by right clicking and going to new. That way it is already in the location I want if I am in that location. As in, create a blank document instead of opening the program. My desktop which doesn't work anymore had that option, but my new laptop doesn't. My desktop had XP and my laptop has Vista (planning to switch to XP but haven't gotten a hold of XP yet).

-SV

soybean · « **Reply #22 on:** May 16, 2009, 06:04:47 PM »

OK, so you want to be able to create a blank rtf document right clicking in an Explorer window. I have both Windows Vista and Windows XP, and neither does this. The option to create a blank Text Document is there but not a blank rtf document. And, again, what's the point? If you want to put some content in the blank rtf document, you still need to open it in WordPad. So, I see nothing whatsoever gained by being able to create a blank rtf file via the right click menu.

If you want a quick way to open WordPad, then put a shortcut to it on your Quick Launch toolbar.

hey101 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2009, 07:49:06 AM »

well then whats the point of creating a blank txt file? it would be the same as creating a blank rtf file. Can someone just help him out instead of just saying why would you want to do that?

My suggestion would be to probe the registry and see how it creates a txt file. Then maybe, you could copy all of that out and edit an extension and have a blank rtf file. Now since i have had no experience whatsoever in the registry then i doubt what I just said will work.

soybean · « **Reply #24 on:** May 17, 2009, 09:29:03 AM »

hey101 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:03:18 AM »

wow can you just answer the guy?

soybean · « **Reply #26 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:23:28 AM »

hey101, I've already answered. Look, sometimes people get notiions in their head that are illogical, that are ill conceived. This notion of creating a blank rtf file via right click is one of those notions. So, getting the person to see that makes more sense than pursuing an actual technique for the illogical idea.

As I've said, there's nothing to be gained from such a capability. He has yet to provide a logical reason for wanting to do this.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #27 on:** May 17, 2009, 11:48:00 AM »

...

regedit. navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.rtf\shellnew

if keys do not exist on the way- create them.

Set the "default" value to "Word.Document.1"

create a new "String" data value. Name it "Data" and give it the contents:

Code: [Select]

{\rtf1}

Now your "New" submenu should contain "New Wordpad document"... (at least it does here

)

Dias de verano · « **Reply #28 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:09:19 PM »

Quote from: soybean on May 14, 2009, 07:37:13 AM

How else would you create a WordPad document? That's the normal prcoedure for doing it.

Someone who's never right clicked in a folder...

soybean · « **Reply #29 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:43:16 PM »

Quote from: Dias de verano on May 17, 2009, 01:09:19 PM

Someone who's never right clicked in a folder...

What are you saying? I've right clicked in a folder many times.

Dias de verano · « **Reply #30 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:54:48 PM »

Quote from: soybean on May 17, 2009, 01:43:16 PM

What are you saying? I've right clicked in a folder many times.

See the New... submenu

soybean · « **Reply #31 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:59:20 PM »

Quote from: Dias de verano on May 17, 2009, 01:54:48 PM

See the New... submenu

I have. What's your point?

Dias de verano · « **Reply #32 on:** May 17, 2009, 02:01:50 PM »

Quote from: soybean on May 17, 2009, 01:59:20 PM

I have. What's your point?

See the other posts eg by Hey101.

I often use right click to create a new txt or rtf or xls document. I immediately give it a name of my choice and thereupon I can double click it, work on it, and all it takes is ALT+F, S to save it. I like to work that way. So (to me) the OP's question is a reasonable one.

soybean · « **Reply #33 on:** May 17, 2009, 02:21:14 PM »

Quote from: Dias de verano on May 17, 2009, 02:01:50 PM

See the other posts eg by Hey101.

I often use right click to create a new txt or rtf or xls document. I immediately give it a name of my choice and thereupon I can double click it, work on it, and all it takes is ALT+F, S to save it. I like to work that way. So (to me) the OP's question is a reasonable one.

hey 101 and Shadow Vegan, Give this man a cigar!.

Dias de verano · « **Reply #34 on:** May 17, 2009, 02:31:58 PM »

Quote from: soybean on May 17, 2009, 02:21:14 PM

hey 101 and Shadow Vegan, Give this man a cigar!.

Are you being sarcastic and/or hostile? If so, why?

soybean · « **Reply #35 on:** May 17, 2009, 02:38:15 PM »

No, I was just trying to be cute.

Actually, if hey 101 or Shadow Vegan has stated the case as well as you worded it, I think this discussion would have been finished much sooner.

Dias de verano · « **Reply #36 on:** May 17, 2009, 02:41:34 PM »

Quote from: soybean on May 17, 2009, 02:38:15 PM

No, I was just trying to be cute.

OK then... thanks for the cigar!

soybean · « **Reply #37 on:** May 17, 2009, 02:48:58 PM »

Quote from: Dias de verano on May 17, 2009, 02:01:50 PM

I often use right click to create a new txt or rtf or xls document. I immediately give it a name of my choice and thereupon I can double click it, work on it, and all it takes is ALT+F, S to save it. I like to work that way. So (to me) the OP's question is a reasonable one.

By the way, I'm surpised that this technique even works for Excel. I presume the right click procedure does not create an actual Excel file, or does it? In other words, is it just a ... trick ... file that makes Windows respond to a double click by opening Excel or is it truly a blank Excel file? Is the file size of an xls file created this way the same as a new Excel file created via an open Excel window?

And, if this works for Excel, then it could be applied to Word, etc.?

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #38 on:** May 17, 2009, 03:45:07 PM »

the "new" submenu is populated by the items within the shellnew keys of various extensions. xls, for example, in my machine references "excel9.xls" which exists in C:\windows\shellnew on my machine.

possible entries in the shellnew key include Filename (as above) Data (which creates a new file with that data in in it; for example, my RTF example) or "nullfile" which means to create an empty file; this one is used for files that have no necessary structure, such as text documents. The files are created immediately, and of course the files have associations for the appropriate programs.

As far as new documents, basically, the Office programs have a file in the shellnew folder and appropriate registry entries for the menu. the file is simply blank, and will get it's settings from normal.dot or the default worksheet (I forget the filename), just like File...New, but you wouldn't need to open the program just to create the file, for example if one was creating a certain set of files before editing them.

hey101 · « **Reply #39 on:** May 17, 2009, 03:53:19 PM »

well thanks everyone that contributed to this. sorry soybean for the confusion i was jsut saying its better to answer sometimes then get in a never ending discussion about something. Its not like its going to be used for illegal things so its better to answer on how to do it it this situation.

Also thanks Dias de verano for clarifying it.

Dias de verano · « **Reply #40 on:** May 17, 2009, 03:54:45 PM »

Quote from: soybean on May 17, 2009, 02:48:58 PM

By the way, I'm surpised that this technique even works for Excel.

I believe that people edit the registry but I use TweakUI so I can customize the New... menu. One of the options (if you have MS Office) is a new Excel workbook.

Quote

I presume the right click procedure does not create an actual Excel file, or does it? In other words, is it just a ... trick ... file that makes Windows respond to a double click by opening Excel or is it truly a blank Excel file?

It looks just like one. It is called "New Microsoft Excel Worksheet.xls" and is 12 KB in size

Quote

Is the file size of an xls file created this way the same as a new Excel file created via an open Excel window?

If I start Excel, create a new empty worksheet and save it, the size is 14 KB.

Quote

And, if this works for Excel, then it could be applied to Word, etc.?

Yes, indeed. I thought everybody knew about this. In the "Templates" section of TweakUI you can add items to the Explorer rightclick New... menu. MSoffice items that I can see are: Excel worksheet, Access Application, Publisher Document, PowerPoint presentation, Word Document

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Author Topic: How to create a new WordPad document? (Read 14467 times)

Shadow Vegan

Broni

Shadow Vegan

Broni

Shadow Vegan

Broni

Karnac

Helpmeh

Broni

soybean

Helpmeh

soybean

hey101

soybean

hey101

soybean

hey101

soybean

hey101

soybean

hey101

Shadow Vegan

soybean

hey101

soybean

hey101

soybean

BC_Programmer

Dias de verano

soybean

Dias de verano

soybean

Dias de verano

soybean

Dias de verano

soybean

Dias de verano

soybean

BC_Programmer

hey101

Dias de verano