Notepad++ download for Windows

Notepad++ is what a great many Windows users open instead of Notepad. It starts fast, keeps every file in a tab, colours code so it is readable, and comes back after a restart with the same tabs you had open. The project describes it as a free source code editor and Notepad replacement, and it is released under the GNU General Public License.

The Notepad++ downloads, explained

Each release on the official downloads page comes in more packages than you might expect. Two decisions sort them out.

Your processor. Take x64 for a normal 64-bit Intel or AMD PC, ARM64 for an Arm-based Windows laptop, and x86 only for 32-bit Windows. Settings, System, About tells you which one you have.

Installed or portable.

• The Installer is the right pick for your own computer. It adds Start menu entries and an "Edit with Notepad++" item to the right-click menu.
• The Portable package, offered as a zip or a 7z file, is simply unpacked into a folder and run from there. Use it on a USB stick or on a PC where you cannot install software.
• The Mini-portable is a smaller variant of the same idea.
• An MSI exists for x64 and is meant for administrators deploying to many machines.

Checking that the file is genuine

A popular name attracts copycat download sites. The real project lives at notepad-plus-plus.org and publishes SHA-256 digests and GPG signatures with every release. If you download from anywhere else, including here, compare the file's SHA-256 with the published value before you run it.

Your first ten minutes

A few settings and shortcuts repay themselves quickly.

• Language menu. If a file opens as plain text, choose its language here to switch highlighting on.
• Ctrl+H opens Replace. Change the search mode to "Regular expression" when you need patterns instead of fixed text.
• Ctrl+Shift+F is Find in Files, which searches a whole folder at once.
• Alt and drag selects a column of text, so you can type on many lines at the same time.
• Macro, Start Recording captures a series of edits and replays it as often as you like.
• Plugins, Plugins Admin installs extras such as a file comparison tool without leaving the editor.

Notepad++ also remembers unsaved tabs between sessions. It is a convenience, not a backup; save anything you care about.

Where it stops

Notepad++ runs in Windows and nowhere else. It is an editor, so it will not compile or debug your program for you. If you need those in one window, or you work on macOS or Linux, compare the other tools in our text and code editors category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there Notepad++ for Mac or Linux?

No. The project states that Notepad++ runs in the Microsoft Windows environment, and it is built directly on the Windows API.

Installer or portable: does it matter?

Only for where things live. The installer integrates with Windows and can update itself. The portable package keeps everything in the folder you unpacked, which makes it easy to carry around or remove.

Can I use Notepad++ at work?

Yes. The GPL allows use for any purpose, commercial included, at no cost.

Does it replace the Notepad that comes with Windows?

It installs alongside it. Windows Notepad stays where it was, and you choose which program opens which files.