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Notepad++ is a free and open-source code editor created as a more advanced replacement for the standard Notepad. It supports numerous programming languages and runs efficiently on Microsoft Windows. The editor also allows users to define their own custom syntax highlighting and code folding rules, offering flexibility for any coding style or language.
The software significantly improves coding productivity by providing color-printed source code, making code structure and syntax easier to read and understand. Its multi-document editing system lets users handle multiple files simultaneously or edit one file in two synchronized split views for side-by-side comparison or parallel work.
Notepad++ features a fully customizable interface with complete drag-and-drop functionality. This makes it simple to organize tabs, rearrange panels, or open files directly by dragging them into the workspace. These features help streamline the coding workflow and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.
The project is built on the robust Scintilla editing component, written in C++ with the Win32 API and STL. This ensures a combination of high performance, efficiency, and low memory usage. Released under the GPL License, Notepad++ remains a lightweight yet powerful editor that continues to evolve through community contributions and open development.
The supported programming languages: ASP, Ada, ASCII artwork, Assembly, AutoIt, BAT, C, C#, C++, Caml, CSS, Doxygen, FORTRAN, HTML, Haskell, Java, javascript, KiXtart, Lisp, Lua, makefile, Matlab, Objective-C, Pascal, Perl, PHP, PostScript, Python, Ruby, Scheme, Unix Shell Script, Smalltalk, SQL, Tcl, TeX, Verilog, VHDL, VB/VBScript, XML.
Notepad++ Features
- Syntax Highlighting and Syntax Folding
- WYSIWYG
- User-Defined Syntax Highlighting
- Auto-completion
- Multi-Document
- Multi-View
- Regular Expression Search/Replace is supported
- Full Drag ‘N’ Drop supported
- Dynamic Place of Views
- File Status Auto-detection
- Zoom in and zoom out
- Multi-language environment supported
- Bookmark
- Brace and Indent guideline Highlighting
- Macro recording and playback
Notepad++ – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Lightweight text and source code editor that launches quickly and uses minimal system resources, even on older PCs. | ✗ Available only for Windows, requiring compatibility layers or alternatives on Linux and macOS. |
| ✓ Supports syntax highlighting and code folding for dozens of programming and scripting languages, improving coding efficiency. | ✗ The interface prioritizes functionality over modern design, which may feel dated to some users. |
| ✓ Supports an extensive plugin ecosystem that extends functionality with features such as FTP access, code comparison, spell checking, and productivity tools. | ✗ Built-in collaboration and cloud synchronization features are limited compared to modern code editors. |
| ✓ Includes tabbed editing, split views, advanced search, regular expression support, and batch text replacement for handling large projects. | ✗ Plugin compatibility may occasionally lag behind major application updates, requiring users to wait for plugin updates. |
| ✓ Free and open-source software with frequent updates, making it a dependable choice for developers, system administrators, and power users. | ✗ Lacks advanced IDE capabilities such as integrated debugging, project management, and intelligent code completion found in full-featured development environments. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Notepad++ edit files other than source code?
Yes. It can edit plain-text files and many types of structured or markup-based files in addition to programming code. Its syntax highlighting and search tools also make it useful for working with configuration files, scripts, logs, and other text-based documents.
Does Notepad++ support plugins?
Yes. It has a plugin ecosystem that extends the editor with additional functionality, including file transfer, code comparison, spell checking, and other productivity tools. Plugins can be managed through the built-in Plugins Admin feature.
Can Notepad++ run on Windows 11?
Yes. The article lists Windows 11 among its supported operating systems and specifies compatibility with both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows installations.
What is the difference between Notepad++ and Visual Studio Code?
Notepad++ is a lightweight Windows text and source-code editor focused on speed and low resource usage. By comparison, Visual Studio Code provides a broader development environment with features such as IntelliSense, debugging, Git integration, and extensions. VS Code also supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, whereas Notepad++ is designed for Windows.
What’s New in Notepad++ 8.9.8:
- Vulnerabilty: Fix an eventual crash while loading UDL
- Vulnerabilty: Fix an eventual crash when loading a UTF-16 file.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix out-of-bounds array write.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix authenticode verification bypass.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix a TOCTOU issue in the Updater (WinGUp).
- Vulnerabilty: Fix session backup path-traversal allowing deletiion outside backup directory.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix potential exposure of Windows login info (SMB/NTLM) via UNC path.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix shortcuts.xml HMAC bypass via the “Run a Macro Multiple Times”.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix Null pointer in NPPM_SAVESESSION handler causing crash.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix stack buffer overflow caused by overlong session paths.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix Folder as Workspace “Run by system” target hijacking issue.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix install-path injection possibility with PowerShell.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix lower IL (Integrity Level) process sends WM_COMMAND to higher IL Notepad++.
- Vulnerabilty: Fix Notepad++ UIPI Bypass via WM_COPYDATA.
- Fix crash in WM_COPYDATA COPYDATA_PARAMS for invalid payload.
- Fix crash in API NPPM_ALLOCATE* calls.
- Add an option to allow loading symlinks in Folder as Workspace.
- Regression: Fix loading session for alone subview and doc/tab with untitle name.
- Fix CJK IME issues in Save As dialog.
- Update to Scintilla 5.6.6 & Lexilla 5.5.3.
- Add plugin deactivation capability.
- Add “-monitoringMode” command line argument to open files with monitoring enabled.
- Fix Proxy Settings issue in portable mode.
- Fix langs.xml model update not not applying file extension fields.
- Fix luminosity slider in ChooseColor not visible in dark mode.
- Fix empty sub-menus in compact language menu.
- Fix Search Results vertical scrolling not matching with OS mouse settings.
- Use modern question mark icon in dark message box.
- Format count numbers using current locale separators when needed.
Official Homepage – https://notepad-plus-plus.org
Compatible Operating Systems: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 (32-bit and 64-bit).
