Notepad++ is widely used by developers, programmers, and other professionals who need a powerful yet lightweight tool for editing plain text and source code. Notepad++ is written in C++ and uses pure Win32 API and STL, based on the powerful editing component Scintilla, which ensures a higher execution speed and smaller program size.

By optimizing as many routines as possible without losing user friendliness, Notepad++ is trying to reduce the world's carbon dioxide emissions. When using less CPU power, the PC can throttle down and reduce power consumption, resulting in a greener environment.

How can I open two files side by side in split view?

You can drag a tab away from the main window to open it in a new pane. Once it's in its own tab group, you can adjust the split view layout. This makes comparing or editing two files simultaneously much easier.

How do I disable automatic highlighting of all matching text?

Notepad++ highlights all occurrences of selected text by default. To disable this, go to Settings → Preferences → Search and turn off the option labeled "Highlight all occurrences."

Why can't I set up syntax highlighting or my text remains completely black?

If all text appears in one color even after selecting a language, it's likely due to improper file extension association or syntax mapping. Ensure your file extension matches a supported language and that the correct lexer is selected under Language in the menu.

What is the difference between Notepad and Notepad++?

Notepad is a basic text editor for plain text files, while Notepad++ is a more advanced editor with features like syntax highlighting, tabs, plugins, and tools for coding and scripting.

Is Notepad++ better than Sublime Text?

Both applications are powerful text editors. Notepad++ is free, open-source, lightweight, and great for quick edits, scripting, and basic coding. It's Windows-only and has a strong plugin ecosystem. Sublime Text is cross-platform, faster with large files, and has a more polished UI, and better performance for heavy development tasks. However, it's only free to try – continued use requires a paid license.

Can Notepad++ run code directly, and how do I fix compilation errors?

Notepad++ supports running scripts via plugins like NppExec, but you need to configure the correct compiler commands and ensure paths without spaces are quoted properly. A common mistake is using curly quotes (" ") instead of straight quotes (" "), which causes "file not found" errors.

Why does the editor flicker or redraw strangely when I type or paste?

Flickering can result from a corrupted installation, outdated settings, or plugin conflicts. A clean reinstall – including removing configuration folders – often resolves it, and disabling unnecessary plugins can also stabilize the interface.

Features

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 GPL License.

You're encouraged to translate Notepad++ into your native tongue if there's not already a translation present in the Binary Translations page. And if you want, help translating Notepad++ official site into your native tongue would be greatly appreciated.

  • Syntax Highlighting and Syntax Folding
  • WYSIWYG
  • User Defined Syntax Highlighting
  • Auto-completion
  • Multi-Document
  • Multi-View
  • Regular Expression Search/Replace supported
  • Full Drag 'N' Drop supported
  • Dynamic position 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

What's New

  • Vulnerability: Fix WM_COPYDATA sender authentication bypass. CVE ID not assigned yet
  • Vulnerability: Fix WM_COPYDATA privilege escalation allowing launch plugin commands execution. CVE ID not assigned yet
  • Vulnerability: Fix heap disclosure. CVE ID not assigned yet
  • Vulnerability: Fix TOCTOU risk when saving temp file under UAC. CVE ID not assigned yet
  • Vulnerability: Fix out-of-bounds array access via NPPM_MENUCOMMAND. CVE ID not assigned yet
  • Vulnerability: Fix heap buffer overflow in SAML decode of MIME Tools plugin. CVE ID not assigned yet
  • Update to Scintilla 5.6.9 & Lexilla 5.5.5. (Implement #18595)
  • Update to boost 1.92.0. (Implement #18536)
  • Improve Find in Files performance. (Fix #15248, #13730)
  • Add an option to change dialog font & font size. (Fix #5648, #9914, #10745, #17183)
  • Add an option to display the Incremental Search bar at the top. (Fix #18486)
  • Remember incremental Search options across sessions. (Fix #18484)
  • Enhance the Cliboard history panel UI. (Implement #18531, #18559)
  • Fix files not opening via "Edit with Notepad++" when app path use 8.3 path format. (Fix #18530, report)
  • Fix space dots ignore display scaling. (Fix #18589)
  • Fix Document Switcher persistence issues. (Fix #10574, #10950)
  • Fix loss of editor focus when dismissing the Document Switcher with Ctrl+Esc. (report)
  • Fix Clipboard History buffer over-read & truncation of UTF-16 surrogate pairs. (Fix #18519, #report)
  • Fix auto-completion & call tip persist issue when moving/resizing window. (Fix #18581)
  • Fix the current doc hidden due to missing auto-scroll in Windows dialog listview. (Fix report)
  • Fix incomplete repainting of Windows dialog list after resizing then sorting. (Fix #16267)
  • Fix the ESC key not closing Windows dialog after a document is closed. (Fix #18554)
  • Add UDL as a selectable default language for new documents. (Fix #979, #11097, #18325)
  • Fix UDL dialog edits scrolling the wrapped document down. (Fix #18105)
  • Detect external file modifications in both views instead of only the active view. (Fix #7581)
  • Add Structured Text language support. (Fix #18365)
  • Fix several memory leaks. (Fixed by #18466, #18467, #18465, #18473, #18482, #18512, #18535)
  • Fix Markdown UDL link highlighting being broken by '@' in the URL. (Fix #18009)
  • Fix Find-in-Files macro playback ignoring empty filters. (Fix #8170)
  • Fix Count and Mark All ignoring zero-length regex matches. (Fix #7896)
  • Fix bugs in Function List for C, TypeScript, INI, PowerShell & Bash. (Fix #10162, #18358, #18574, #18174)
  • Fix the "inherit" flag for FG/BG not being cleared in Style Configurator. (Fix #14197)
  • Set new UDL to use theme FG, transparent BG, no bold/italic/underline by default. (Fix #18387, #5622, #17054)
  • Fix spurious NPPN_READONLYCHANGED notification when files are deleted. (Fix #16289)
  • Fix call-tip parameter highlighting being confused by commas in string literals. (Fix #8650)
  • Fix missing warning display when deleting files from Notepad++ on Windows 7. (Fix report)
  • Unify internal list views highlight style. (Fix #18563)
  • Update Python & R keyword lists. (Fix #18464, #18445)