Notepad++ 8.8.7 Final – Powerful Code Editor

Notepad++ is a powerful open source text editor designed specifically for programmers and developers. Unlike regular text editors, this software gives you advanced features like syntax highlighting, code folding and multi-document editing without costing you a single penny.

Built using C++ programming language, Notepad++ delivers impressive performance while maintaining a clean and beautiful interface. The software supports over 20 programming languages including C, C++, Java, XML, HTML, PHP, JavaScript, Python, Perl and many more.

Why Developers Choose Notepad++

• Completely free – No hidden costs or subscription fees
• Lightweight and fast – Uses minimal system resources
• Open source – Community-driven development and transparency
• Windows native – Designed specifically for Windows operating systems
• Extensive language support – Works with dozens of programming languages

Core Features That Boost Productivity

Syntax Highlighting and Color Coding

Notepad++ automatically colors your code based on the programming language you are using. This makes reading and understanding code much easier because different elements like variables, functions and keywords appear in different colors.

Supported Languages Include:

• C, C++, Java for application development
• HTML, CSS, JavaScript for web development
• PHP, ASP, VB/VBS for server-side scripting
• SQL for database management
• Python, Perl, Pascal for various programming needs
• XML, JSON for data formatting
• Objective-C for iOS development

Multi-Document Interface

Work on multiple files simultaneously without opening several windows. The tabbed interface by making it simple to switch between different documents with just one click.

Document Management Features:

• Open unlimited files at the same time
• View multiple documents side by side
• Split screen functionality for comparing code
• Easy navigation between tabs
• Drag and drop files to open them instantly

Smart Auto-Completion

The auto-completion feature suggests words and functions as you type, saving valuable time and reducing typing errors. This intelligent system learns from your code and helps you write faster.

Advanced Search and Replace

• Find and replace text across single or multiple files
• Support for regular expressions for complex search patterns
• Search in current document or all open files
• Case-sensitive and whole-word search options
• Bookmark search results for easy reference

Professional Editing Tools

WYSIWYG Editing

What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) functionality ensures your code appears exactly as it will when executed. This feature is particularly useful for web developers working with HTML and CSS.

Drag and Drop Support

Full Drag’N’Drop support makes file management effortless. Simply drag files from Windows Explorer directly into Notepad++ to open them instantly.

Code Folding and Organization

• Collapse and expand code blocks for better readability
• Bracket and guideline highlighting shows code structure
• Indentation guides help maintain clean code
• Row numbering for easy reference

Zoom and View Options

• Increase or decrease text size for comfortable viewing
• Dynamic position adjustment of views
• Full-screen mode for distraction-free coding
• Customizable fonts and display settings

Macro Recording and Playback

Record repetitive tasks and play them back with a single keystroke. This powerful feature saves hours of manual work when you need to perform the same actions multiple times.

Macro Capabilities:

• Record keyboard actions and commands
• Save macros for future use
• Assign keyboard shortcuts to macros
• Edit and modify recorded macros

Built-in Plugins for Extended Functionality

Notepad++ comes with several useful plugins pre-installed:

NppExport v0.3

Export your colored code to RTF or HTML format while preserving syntax highlighting. Perfect for documentation and presentations.

Converter 4.4

Convert text encoding between different formats quickly. Supports ASCII, UTF-8, UTF-16 and many other character encodings.

Mime Tool 2.7

Encode and decode Base64 strings directly within the editor. Useful for web developers working with data encoding.

Customization and Multilingual Support

User-Defined Syntax Coloring

Create custom color schemes for programming languages not included by default. Define your own keywords, operators and color preferences to match your coding style.

Multilingual Environment

Work in your preferred language with support for multiple interface languages. The software automatically adapts to your system language or lets you choose manually.

Bookmarks and Navigation

• Mark important lines in your code with bookmarks
• Jump between bookmarks quickly
• Search within bookmarked lines only
• Clear or toggle all bookmarks at once

Our Hands-On Test

I have been using Notepad++ for web development projects for several years now, and it has become my go-to editor for quick edits and complex coding tasks alike. When we tested the latest version, the first thing that impressed us was how fast it opens even large files with thousands of lines of code.

During our testing, we worked on a PHP project with multiple files. The split-screen feature allowed us to view the HTML template on one side and the PHP logic on the other side simultaneously. This made debugging much faster compared to switching between tabs constantly.

We particularly appreciated the search and replace function with regular expressions. When I needed to update all database connection strings across 15 files, the “Find in Files” feature saved me at least 30 minutes of manual work.

The auto-completion worked surprisingly well. After typing just a few characters, relevant suggestions appeared, and pressing Tab inserted the complete function name. This feature reduced typing errors significantly during our test.

Notepad++ vs Competition

How Does Notepad++ Compare to Other Code Editors?

Feature	Notepad++	Sublime Text	Visual Studio Code
Price	Free (Open Source)	$99 (Paid License)	Free
System Resources	Very Light	Light	Moderate to Heavy
Startup Speed	Instant	Very Fast	Moderate
Plugin Ecosystem	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Built-in Terminal	No	No	Yes
Git Integration	Via Plugins	Via Plugins	Built-in
Best For	Quick edits, lightweight coding	Professional development	Full-stack development
Learning Curve	Easy	Moderate	Moderate

When to Choose Notepad++:

• You need a fast, lightweight editor for Windows
• You want zero cost and open source software
• You primarily work with text files and simple coding tasks
• You have limited system resources

When to Choose Alternatives:

• Sublime Text – If you need cross-platform support and don’t mind paying
• Visual Studio Code – If you want advanced debugging tools and built-in Git support

Getting Started with Notepad++

Installation and Setup

1. Download Notepad++ from the official website
2. Run the installer and choose your preferred language
3. Select components you want to install
4. Launch the application and start coding

First Steps for Beginners

• Open a file by dragging it into the window or using File > Open
• The language syntax highlighting activates automatically based on file extension
• Use View menu to customize your workspace layout
• Access Settings > Style Configurator to change color themes
• Try recording a simple macro by going to Macro > Start Recording

Tips for Maximum Productivity

• Learn keyboard shortcuts to work faster (Ctrl+F for search, Ctrl+H for replace)
• Use the Function List panel to navigate large files easily
• Enable line numbers from Settings for better code reference
• Customize the toolbar to show only tools you use frequently
• Explore available plugins to extend functionality

Advanced Features for Power Users

File Status Detection

Notepad++ automatically detects when an open file has been modified by another program. You receive instant notification and can choose to reload the updated version.

Session Management

Save your current workspace with all open files and restore it later. This feature is invaluable when working on multiple projects simultaneously.

Column Mode Editing

Edit multiple lines at the same position simultaneously using column selection mode (Alt + Mouse drag). Perfect for formatting data or adding similar code to many lines at once.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 10, 11
• Processor: Any modern processor
• RAM: 512 MB minimum (1 GB recommended)
• Disk Space: 10 MB for installation
• Additional: No internet connection required after installation

Frequently Asked Questions

Included plugins

• NppExport v0.3
• Converter 4.4
• Mime Tool 2.7

Changes in Notepad++ new version

License: Free

Homepage

Download Notepad++

Size: 7 MB

Windows 32-bit | Windows 64-bit

Windows ARM 64-bit

Portable for Windows 32-bit | Portable for Windows 64-bit