Lightweight, powerful, and open-source. Written in C++ for maximum speed and minimal system resource usage.
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What is Notepad++?
Notepad++ is a free (as in "free speech" and also as in "free beer") source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Running in the MS Windows environment, its use is governed by the GPL License.
Syntax Highlighting
Supports 80+ programming languages with customizable highlighting and syntax folding.
Lightweight & Fast
Based on Scintilla and written in C++ with pure Win32 API for high execution speed.
Plugin System
Extend functionality with a powerful plugin system or write your own plugins.
A simple guide to mastering Notepad++ in 4 steps.
Simply open and start typing. Notepad++ is ready instantly. It includes powerful defaults like Autosave, Line Bookmarks, and a Tabbed Interface to manage multiple files at once. Perfect for quick notes or drafting.
Coding is where it shines. Native support for C++, Python, STL, and dozens more. Features like Syntax Highlighting, Code Folding, and Autocompletion make writing code efficient.
Navigate complex projects with ease. Use Split-Screen and Synchronized Scrolling to compare files side-by-side. Perform advanced Search & Replace operations instantly.
Tap into the Plugin Manager to install over 150+ community tools. Plus, Notepad++ is optimized for efficiency—using less CPU power means a greener environment.
Clean, distraction-free, and fully customizable. Switch between Light and Dark modes instantly.
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See what our community has to say about Notepad++.
"The core software is excellent and reliable. However, the author's political stances can be polarizing for some. If that concerns you, I suggest looking into 'Notepad--', which is a neutral fork."
"You can't go wrong with this app. I've used it for years; it handles every task flawlessly. I remember when it was just a simple editor, but now it allows multiple projects to be open at once. For a free tool, it is unbeatable. I'm an engineer, and this is a daily driver."
"A nice, powerful little tool! It managed to find a text string that even Windows 10 search missed. My only critique prevents a perfect 10: I wish copying the file path directly from the search hits was smoother. Otherwise, great."
"Impeccable. As a beginner, I find it incredibly useful to start learning how to code."
"The perfect simple platform for running and editing HTML. It is my go-to choice."
"Incredibly easy to use. The application is buttery smooth and extremely lightweight on system resources."
"I personally disliked it. In my experience, it was one of the worst interfaces I have used compared to modern alternatives."
"The best open-source tool for IT professionals, period. It is a 'do-everything' text editor with a rich plugin library and extreme reliability. 10/10."
"My favorite plain text editor. It is easier to learn than an IDE but has far more features than standard Notepad. Essential for my HTML coding."
"Great text editor and VERY fast. It loads multi-megabyte text files in milliseconds, faster than many paid text editors I have tested."
"Great software, especially for programmers correcting errors. It has huge capabilities and has saved me many times. I just wish the case-sensitivity settings were a bit more intuitive to configure."
"A MUST-HAVE program for expert users. It opens massive text files without any delay/lag. Super fast and feature-rich."
"Absolutely love it. Free, fast, and powerful. My favorite features are the wide variety of language support, tabbed browsing, and the global search-and-replace. The syntax highlighting is brilliant."
Common questions about Notepad++.
Notepad++ supports native localization for a seamless global experience.