Windows 3.1 Notepad Can Open Any File Type

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q85949
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

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.

KBCategory: kbtool kbprb
KBSubcategory: wfw win31 wfwg
Additional reference words: 3.10 file type

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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