How to switch the editor in mc (midnight commander) from nano to mcedit?

Press the following keys in order, one at a time:

1. F9 Activates the top menu.
2. o Selects the Option menu.
3. c Opens the configuration dialog.
4. i Toggles the use internal edit option.
5. s Saves your preferences.

Run MC as usual. On the command line right above the bottom row of menu selections type select-editor. This should open a menu with a list of all of your installed editors. This is working for me on all my current linux machines.

You can also change the standard editor system-wide. Open a terminal and type this command:

sudo update-alternatives --config editor

You will get a list of the installed editors on your system, and you can choose your favorite.