Windows 3.1 Notepad Can Open Any File Type (85949)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11
This article was previously published under Q85949

SUMMARY

Microsoft Windows Notepad opens any file type, including executable files, and saves them in Notepad format. Saving a file type that Notepad does not directly support can make that file unreadable by its native application.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 3.1 Notepad was enhanced to be enable it to open files containing a CTRL+Z (end-of-file) character. This enhancement allows it to open any file that will fit in Notepad. Opening an .EXE file and saving it will make the file unusable because it will be in Notepad format, not in the format of an executable file. It may still have the same file size.

Attempting to run an executable file viewed and saved from Notepad may result in the following error message:
Insufficient memory to run application; quit one or more applications, or free up disk space to increase available memory and try again.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/26/2003
Keywords:KB85949
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.