Notepad++ Download: Free Code and Text Editor
Notepad++ 8.9.8.1 · for Windows
Developer: Don Ho (opens in a new tab)
- Windows
The download link points to the program’s official source; the file is not hosted on this site. Link address: notepad-plus-plus.org
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Notepad++ is a free, open-source text and code editor for Windows developed by Don Ho. The current version is 8.9.8.1, released on September 24, 2026; the installer is about 7 MB.
Windows Notepad is fine for quick notes, but it falls short as soon as you need to edit a config file or read through some code. Notepad++ fills those gaps while staying lightweight.
Key features
- Syntax highlighting: Colors code in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, PHP, SQL and dozens of other languages, and lets you fold blocks.
- Tabs: Keep several files open in tabs; close the program and it picks up right where you left off.
- Powerful search: Find and replace with regular expressions, or search across every file in a folder.
- Macros and plugins: Record repetitive edits as macros and add new features through the Plugins Admin.
How to download and install
- The Download button opens the official download page on notepad-plus-plus.org; pick the current release at the top.
- For most computers, the “Installer 64-bit x64” file is the right one. You can choose your language during setup.
- If you would rather not install anything, the same page has a portable ZIP version.
Good to know
Notepad++ is released for Windows only. It checks for updates on its own, but you should still only download the installer from the official site.
Pros
- Very light and opens instantly
- Syntax highlighting for dozens of languages
- Regex search across whole folders
Cons
- Windows only
- Not a full development environment
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Notepad++ work on a Mac?
No. Notepad++ is developed for Windows only; there is no macOS or Linux version.
Is Notepad++ free?
Yes. It is open-source software under the GPL and can be used for free at work too.
Notepad++Open source
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