How to open a .md file on Windows

You have a .md file on Windows and Notepad opens it as raw text. Markdown is supposed to render as a formatted document (headings, lists, bold), not show you the underlying syntax. Three paths to fix that.

Fastest: drop on Vela Docs (no install)

Open docs.vela.partners in Edge, Chrome, or Firefox. Drag the file from File Explorer onto the page. It renders immediately.

Free, no signup needed for viewing. Click Share if you need to send a link.

Stop Notepad opening .md files

Right-click the file in File Explorer → Open with → Choose another app. Pick your preferred app, check "Always use this app to open .md files", and you'll never see Notepad's raw view of a .md again. If nothing else is installed, the browser path above is the simplest default.

Free desktop options

• Obsidian (free): the standard personal Markdown vault. Install, create a vault, drop the file in. Heavy for one file, great for a habit.
• VS Code (free): open the file, press Ctrl+Shift+V for the rendered preview. Big install if you don't already code.
• Notepad++ (free, classic): MarkdownViewer++ plugin adds a preview pane. Lightweight but the install dance is fiddly.

Paid: Typora

typora.io, $14.99 one-time. Polished single-pane editor that hides the Markdown syntax as you type. Worth it if you write Markdown daily on Windows.

Common Windows gotchas

• File Explorer hides extensions. The file might actually be named README.md.txt (Windows added .txt silently). Turn on View → File name extensions in File Explorer to see the truth.
• SmartScreen blocks downloaded files. Click "More info" → "Run anyway" if the .md came from email or Slack.
• OneDrive sync conflicts. Files in OneDrive folders edited by two apps at once produce suffixed copies. Pick one editor at a time.

One short takeaway

For viewing once: Vela Docs. For an ongoing habit: Obsidian. For developers: VS Code preview pane. Stop Notepad opening .md files via the right-click default.