Notepad++ is a powerful free text file editor with syntax highlighting that makes it one of the best tools for layout, editing program code, working with databases and just plain text.
Essentially, it's an improved alternative to the usual Notepad with a huge set of useful features. Besides syntax highlighting of programming languages, Notepad++'s already powerful functionality can be infinitely extended with additional plugins. The vast majority of the plugins are also free. Among the most useful are Auto save that automatically saves your document, Compare - for comparing two different files for difference, Document Monitor that checks if your document was changed in another application while you are working on it.
One of the pleasant features of the program is automatic addition of tags which saves a lot of time and setting markers in the edited code allowing you to quickly navigate through thousands of lines of code to the necessary ones in just a couple of clicks.
The main features of Notepad++ are
- syntax highlighting and collapsing blocks according to programming languages;
- WYSIWYG text editor, which allows you to see the printed text as it appeared on the monitor screen;
- syntax highlighting can be set;
- words are automatically typeset in the editor;
- possibility of simultaneous work with several documents and their viewing;
- ability to support regular Find/Replace expressions;
- possibility of dragging text passages;
- ability to dynamically change the viewing window;
- program can detect the state of files automatically;
- there is a zoom in and out function;
- supports large number of languages;
- ability to leave notes;
- automatic selection of brackets while editing text;
- the program can record and execute macros.
Disadvantages of Notepad++
- The program is not cross-platform and works only with Windows operating systems;
- Notepad++ does not recognize multiple languages in a single document.
The program is distributed absolutely free and has no restrictions in use.
What's new in the latest version 8.9.1
Updated 04 February 2026
- Support for new programming languages and syntax highlighting.
- Optimisation of working with large files, which improves performance.
- New plugins added and existing ones updated to extend functionality.
- Improved user interface with new themes and settings.
- Bug fixes and improved programme stability.
- Extended capabilities for working with multi-line replacements in text.
- Support for new encodings, including Unicode.
- Integration with version control systems for convenient teamwork.
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