FYI. Don't wait for any reply from me. I'm going to rest. Others might offer help in the meantime.
Basically it sounds like you don't know the file extension used when saving the file and when you click to open it - it's saved with a file extension that requires software other than wordpad to open it unless you change file associations for the file type.
1. It is not a good idea to put folders/files on the Desktop.
Much safer to use Shortcuts to the locations within the Documents folder/files.
In the Documents Right click on a Folder/file and Send to > Desktop(create shortcut).
That will plonk an Icon on the Desktop with an arrow lower left.
This Shortcut just points to the relevant folder/file in My Documents.
The advantage of this is that if the shortcut is deleted or lost the folder/file remains.
2. Change default file association.
No idea what file extension you use but let's say it is .DOCX then you associate that by default to WordPad.
Select the .DOCX file > Right click > Open with > Choose another app > More apps > scroll down the list to WordPad Select and tick box for "Always use this app to open .docx files" > OK.
Just change the .DOCX to whatever you use.
In the File Explorer make sure the View > file name extensions box is ticked otherwise you won't see them.
WordPad is a 'lite' version of Word. For simple note taking I use Notepad and its Save as under File, gives user a choice of the folder to save it in.
There's also OneNote.
You choose one of the formats in the menu that pops up to the right. In your case, I think you'd want to choose "plain text document". If you save it
as something like a .doc Word file, and you don't have Word or something similar installed, then trying to open it later will likely result in
your being offered to sign up for Microsoft's cloud office software.
After you choose a file format, a standard file-chooser dialog window pops up, and you
navigate to the place you want to save the file, and give it a name. It's the same as navigating in any other File Explorer window.
I'm with @Berton on this.
You want something very simple for note-taking and really easily accessible, and as simple as possible, use Notepad. I use Notepad so much for the simple stuff.
Very light, very easy, no problems ever. Notepad creates "txt" files. Easily readable by almost any application. Easily upload-able, etc.
I'd like to understand exactly what your situation is and exactly what is happening to you. Please respond to each of these points.
- I suspect that this is a new computer
- I suspect that you might have a one month free trial of MSOffice365 bundled with your computer.
- I suspect that MS OneDrive is offering to let you store your own files online.
I suggest you post screenshots of what happens when you try to save a file to your desktop folder.
Take screenshot - TenForumsTutorials
How to Upload and Post Screenshots and Files - TenForumsTutorials
If you know how to crop pictures to cut out irrelevant background material then do so but if not just post them as they are.
Whatever the problem is, it can be resolved.
- I disagree with the comment made earlier about the desktop being a bad place to save files. But I think it's best to help you be able to do what you want and only then to discuss better ways of doing things.
Best of luck,
Denis
For simplicity I'd say save as .RTF and make Wordpad default for that.
Restore Default File Type Associations in Windows 10
You can download the file to set Wordpad as default for opening RTF files from the link above.
We really need to know which file extensions you are using when saving documents that you want to open in Wordpad and what applications might be set as default for those file types.
If you don't know how to show file extensions in Explorer then right click a problem file that you want to open and choose "Properties"
What does it show for "Type of file" and what application name does it show for "Opens with" ?
I'm sure our friend from India, with a more spacious voice, could have solved this problem which started to develop into a thread of endless and meaningless gibberish that only further confuses our lost and confused American friend.
oh man...
I bring up wordPad/write in some stuff....clicking 'save' or 'save as' brings the 'save as' window, which says "This PC Documents (not the same window as callender #10)
for 'file name', I dont name it, I leave it as it says, just 'document'
for 'save as type', I leave as it says, the RTF
the box is checked where it says "save in this format by default"
click "save", window disappears
I bring up file explorer, click on documents, I see the one I just did, says 'document' (I didnt name it). I see the big W in it, for Word. I dbl clk it, up comes "sign in to get started with microsoft office".
I click on 'skip',,...box says 'are you sure?'....I click 'x' to close it.......it goes back to the "sign in to get started with microsoft office" window. click on 'skip'.....brings up "get started with microsoft 365".....click 'x' to close it, then a second time, then it goes away, and Im back at the file explorer window.
Have you tried to put this OFF, ImLost?
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