Notepad++
Don Ho / Notepad++ Team • Code Editor
Notepad++ is a free, open‑source text and source code editor for Windows designed for speed and low resource usage. It offers tabbed editing, rich customization, and powerful developer‑oriented tools, making it ideal for coding, scripting, and working with large text files.
System Requirements
Minimum
- Os: Windows 7 or later for current releases.
- Processor: Intel Pentium or equivalent AMD CPU or better.
- Ram: 2 GB RAM or more.
- Disk Space: At least 25 MB of free disk space for installation.
Technical Specifications
| Software Name | Notepad++ |
|---|---|
| Version | 8.9 |
| License | Free |
| File Size | 5 MB |
| OS Support | Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 |
| Language | Multiple languages (dozens of UI translations; supports syntax highlighting for 70+ programming and markup languages) |
| Developer | Don Ho / Notepad++ Team |
| Publisher | Notepad++ Team |
| Homepage | https://notepad-plus-plus.org/ |
| Last Updated | 2025-12-28 |
Key Features
- Tabbed document interface: Work with multiple files in a single window using tabs, making it easy to switch between documents and organize large editing sessions.
- Syntax highlighting and code folding: Provides syntax highlighting, code folding, and brace matching for dozens of programming, scripting, and markup languages, improving readability and navigation.
- Plugin and extension system: Supports numerous plugins and an integrated Plugins Admin to extend functionality with tools for FTP, JSON formatting, auto-completion, and more.
- Macro recording and playback: Allows recording, saving, and replaying of custom macros to automate repetitive editing tasks and speed up workflows.
- Lightweight and high performance: Written in C++ using the Win32 API and STL, delivering fast startup, low memory usage, and quick handling of large files compared to many other editors.
For complete changelog, visit the official release notes.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and very fast even with large files, thanks to its C++ and Win32 API implementation. | Officially available only for Windows; no native macOS or Linux version. |
| Free and open source under the GPL, with an active community and plugin ecosystem. | Interface and plugin management can feel dated compared to some modern editors. |
| Tabbed interface for working with multiple documents in a single window. | Feature set may be less extensive than heavyweight IDEs for large, complex projects. |
| Extensive syntax highlighting and code folding for many programming languages. | |
| Highly customizable with themes, macros, and configuration options. |
Installation Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Notepad++ free to download and use?
Yes. Notepad++ is free and open source software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL). You can download and use it without cost.
Where can I safely download Notepad++?
You should download Notepad++ only from the official website at notepad-plus-plus.org, which links to the current installer and binaries.
Which Windows versions are supported by current Notepad++ releases?
Current Notepad++ versions support Windows 7 and later (Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11). Older systems like Vista and XP require legacy versions.
Does Notepad++ support multiple programming languages?
Yes. Notepad++ provides syntax highlighting and related features for more than 70 programming, scripting, and markup languages.
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