Some users have found that Windows 10 new installations are missing the Notepad application that has been a staple of Windows since the early days. This unexpected change has led users to believe that their windows installation is corrupted, or missing features. This is not the case, it is, in fact a feature, or more specifically, the end of a feature. They have quietly made Notepad optional.
Other users have found that Notepad has disappeared after installing certain updates from windows update. So here is the fix for new installations and how to fix missing Notepad after installing KB4565503 Windows 10 build 19041.388, version 2004
If you have found notepad missing in your version of Windows 10 installation, then use one of the following methods :
Command line
Easiest way to do this is to open an elevated command prompt. Type cmd in the search bar and open an elevated command prompt (run as administrator)
You can install notepad using the following command
dism /Online /add-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.NotePad~~~~0.0.1.0
To reverse this process and unistall Notepad, (should you want to) at the command line type
dism /Online /Remove-Capability /CapabilityName:Microsoft.Windows.NotePad~~~~0.0.1.0
Microsoft App Store
Notepad is also now available through the Microsoft Store.
You can access the Microsoft Store via the windows search bar then search for Notepad in the store.