What Is Notepad++ and Why Use It?
Notepad++ is a powerful text editor built for developers and anyone who needs advanced text editing. Being open source and free makes it a popular choice. Beyond basic editing, it offers professional tools like syntax highlighting, auto-completion, multi-document editing, and more.Common Use Cases
- Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP)
- Writing code in languages like Python, Java, C++
- Editing XML and configuration files
- Quick manipulation of large text files
- Reviewing and refactoring source code
- Writing and editing SQL queries
Notepad++ Download & Installation
Visit the official site (notepad-plus-plus.org) and head to the Download section to get the version for your OS. The installer is ~4 MB and installs quickly.| Version | Size | Supported OS |
|---|---|---|
| Notepad++ 8.5.4 | 4.2 MB | Windows 11/10/8/7 |
| Notepad++ 8.5.3 | 4.1 MB | Windows 11/10/8/7 |
| Notepad++ 8.5.2 | 4.0 MB | Windows 11/10/8/7 |
| Notepad++ 8.5.1 | 3.9 MB | Windows 11/10/8/7 |
Always download from the official website to avoid tampered installers.
System Requirements
Notepad++ is lightweight and runs well on virtually any Windows PC. Separate 32-bit and 64-bit builds are available. As little as 256 MB RAM is sufficient.Installation Steps
- Double-click the Notepad++ installer
- Choose your language (e.g., Turkish/English)
- Accept the License Agreement
- Select the install directory (default recommended)
- Confirm Start Menu folder name
- Choose to create a desktop shortcut (optional)
- Finish installation and launch Notepad++
Notepad++ Tips & Features
The most complete answer to “What does Notepad++ do?”: it delivers advanced editing features in a friendly UI so you can work faster.Core Features
Syntax highlighting recognizes 80+ languages and colorizes code. With tabbed editing and auto-completion, you’ll write faster and make fewer mistakes.Highlights
- Multi-document, tabbed interface
- Auto-save and backup system
- Advanced Find/Replace
- Regular expression (regex) support
- Macro recording and playback
- Multi-cursor editing
- Built-in file compare (via plugin)
Advanced Capabilities
Standout extras include FTP support (via plugins) and a rich plugin ecosystem to extend the editor as you like.Work Faster with Notepad++
Learning shortcuts is key to efficiency. Multi-cursor editing and auto-completion are favorites among developers.Actionable Steps
- Memorize common shortcuts (e.g., Ctrl+D duplicate, Ctrl+F find, Ctrl+H replace)
- Enable and tune auto-completion
- Use multi-cursor editing (Alt + drag/selection)
- Leverage code folding to focus on sections
- Record custom macros for repetitive tasks
- Customize syntax highlighting per project
Try Compare for diffing files, XML Tools for formatting/validating XML, and NppExport to export code in various formats. These tools help streamline your workflow and accelerate development.