Notepad++ questions
These answers describe the Windows editor from Don Ho and contributors, and they state what this independent website does not do.
What is Notepad++?
Notepad++ is a free, open-source text and source-code editor for Windows, developed by Don Ho and other contributors. It includes syntax highlighting, code folding, multiple tabs, regular-expression search, macro recording, and plugins. Highlighting and macros do not compile or run code. This website is not that project.
Is Notepad++ free?
Yes. It is released under GPL-3.0. The official downloads page does not charge a fee or require registration.
How do I download Notepad++?
The download button on this site starts the 8.9.8.1 64-bit installer that Notepad++ published on GitHub. This site does not host that file. For a 32-bit, ARM64, or portable package, open https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/. On 10 October 2026, the first section listed there was 8.9.8.1.
Does Notepad++ work on Windows 11?
Yes. The project's supported-system document, reviewed on 9 October 2026, lists Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8.1 as supported. Windows 7 and Windows 8 can run the current build, but they are not supported.
Is Notepad++ available for Mac?
No. The official downloads page has no macOS or Linux build. Notepad++ is a Windows program. This site does not offer an unofficial port.
What is the difference between Notepad++ and Notepad?
Windows Notepad edits plain text. Notepad++ also offers syntax highlighting, code folding, regular-expression search, macro recording, and plugins. It is still an editor, and it does not include a compiler or runtime for those languages.
Does Notepad++ support Chinese?
Yes. The installer can add language files. Settings, Preferences, General, Localization then switches the menus and dialogs to Simplified Chinese. That is separate from the Encoding menu. The file you are editing stays in its own encoding.
How do I change Notepad++ to Chinese?
If the installer included language files, open Settings, Preferences, General, Localization, and choose Simplified Chinese. The menu labels follow the language the interface is already using.
What programming languages does Notepad++ support?
The editor can color many languages. The user manual lists around 90 built-in languages, including C, C++, Java, Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, PHP, SQL, and XML. You can add a user-defined language when a type is missing. Notepad++ does not include a compiler or runtime for these languages.
How do I enable dark mode in Notepad++?
Open Settings, Preferences, Dark Mode, and choose dark mode, light mode, or follow Windows. The editor theme is chosen separately in Settings, Style Configurator. Turning on dark mode selects your previous dark editor theme. User-defined language colors do not change automatically.
Is Notepad++ open source?
Yes. Notepad++ is GPL-3.0 software developed by Don Ho and other contributors. Notepad++ Guide is a separate website and is not the development team.
How do I install plugins?
Open Plugins, then Plugins Admin, tick a plugin on the Available tab, and choose Install. The editor restarts. You need Plugins Admin and the auto-updater component from the official installer.
Why might Plugins Admin fail?
The usual causes are a missing auto-updater component, no permission to write the program folder, or a plugin that does not match the 32-bit or 64-bit build. The plugins page lists checks that do not involve a third-party installer.