Notepad++ – Free and powerful editor for developers.
If you need a lightweight, fast, and versatile text and code editor for Windows, Notepad++ is one of the best free options. It’s open source, easy to install, and supports more than 80 programming languages — including HTML, PHP, JavaScript, Python, C++, and many more.
Notepad++ is a feature-rich alternative to Windows’ built-in Notepad and is great for both beginners and professional developers.
Features and interface
Notepad++ is known for its clean yet powerful interface. Highlights include:
- Syntax highlighting and auto-complete for many programming languages
- Tabbed interface so you can work with multiple files at once
- Macro recording and playback
- Advanced find and replace (including regular expressions)
- Auto-save and session restore
- Custom themes with high-contrast/dark mode options
- Plugin system to add extra features (e.g., FTP integration, autosave, JSON validator, etc.)
The interface may feel a bit barebones compared to modern IDEs, but that’s exactly what keeps it fast and focused.
Built for Windows — and it works
Notepad++ is Windows-only, but it’s extremely stable and fast, even on older PCs. On modern systems it launches in under a second and uses very little memory.
That makes it perfect as both a code editor and a quick text viewer — for example, when you need to open large log files, data files, or scripts.
Tips for Notepad++ users
Edit code in split views when you need to compare side by side
Install the Plugin Manager via Plugins > Plugins Admin to access 100+ extensions
Use the Compare plugin to compare two files line by line
Enable autosave via a plugin or macro to avoid data loss
Use Find in Files to quickly search entire folders or codebases
🔧 Top 5 tips and tricks for Notepad++
1. Enable autosave and session restore
If you often forget to save, turn this on:
- Go to Settings → Preferences… → Backup
- Enable “Autosave” and “Remember current session for next launch”
💡 Your files will be restored after a restart — even unsaved ones!
2. Multi-edit with multiple cursors
Hold Ctrl and click multiple places in the text — you’ll get several cursors and can edit in multiple spots at once.
💡 Perfect for fixing variables or repeated lines in code or CSV files.
3. Compare two files directly in the editor
Install the Compare plugin:
- Go to Plugins → Plugins Admin
- Search for and install Compare
- Open two files → Plugins → Compare → Compare
💡 Great for spotting differences between versions of text or code.
4. Use macros to repeat tasks
Notepad++ can record repetitive edits as a macro:
- Go to Macro → Start Recording
- Perform your actions
- Select Stop Recording → Save Current Recorded Macro
💡 Ideal for adding characters, line breaks, or restructuring many lines at once.
5. Customize theme and languages
Under Settings → Style Configurator you can:
- Switch color schemes (e.g., dark theme)
- Choose programming languages and syntax highlighting
💡 You can also create your own user-defined language if you work with XML variants, log files, or niche formats.
❓ Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does Notepad++ work on Windows 11?
Yes, it runs smoothly on both Windows 10 and 11.
What’s the difference between Notepad and Notepad++?
Notepad++ is a powerful upgrade to Windows’ standard Notepad, with features like syntax highlighting, multiple tabs, plugins, macros, and more.
Is Notepad++ free?
Yes — it’s completely free and open source, with no ads or license fees.
Can I use Notepad++ for programming?
Absolutely. It supports 80+ languages including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, and C++. Many web and software developers use it daily.
Is there a version for Mac or Linux?
Not officially, but you can use Wine on Linux/macOS, or consider alternatives like Sublime Text or VS Code.