How to Install Notepad++ on Windows
Install Notepad++ on Windows if you want a fast editor for logs, config files, and quick code edits without opening a full IDE.
Supported Versions
Official Source
notepad-plus-plus.org / GitHub (official)
Environment Setup
1 PATH entry
Verify Step
where notepad++
DevTools Installer is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the publisher of Notepad++. All product names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners. Downloads are sourced directly from the official publisher.
Install With DevTools Installer
Use this path if you want DevTools Installer to download the official package and handle the Windows setup for you.
- 1Open DevTools Installer.
- 2In IDEs & Editors, select "Notepad++".
- 3Click "Install Selected".
- 4Let the installer download the official package, run it silently, and add to PATH.
- 5Open a new terminal window after the install finishes.
- 6Run to confirm Windows can find the executable.
Download Source
DevTools Installer downloads from the official publisher:
https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/releases/download/v8.9.3/npp.8.9.3.Installer.x64.exe
PATH & Environment Variables
DevTools Installer sets the following automatically:
PATH entries
C:\Program Files\Notepad++
Verification
DevTools Installer verifies the install by running:
where notepad++
Expected output: C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe
Manual Installation Steps
Use these steps if you want to run the installer yourself and apply the Windows PATH or environment changes manually.
- 1Download the official installer from https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/releases/download/v8.9.3/npp.8.9.3.Installer.x64.exe
- 2Run the installer.
- 3If you want to launch Notepad++ from a terminal, add to PATH.
- 4Open a new terminal and run .
- 5Open a text file in Notepad++ to confirm the app starts correctly.
Need to upgrade, downgrade, or remove Notepad++?
DevTools Installer can also upgrade Notepad++ to a newer version, roll back to an older one, or cleanly uninstall it — including PATH entries and environment variables. No manual cleanup required.
What Is Notepad++ Used For?
- Quickly editing configuration files (XML, JSON, YAML, INI) with syntax highlighting.
- Replacing Windows Notepad with a more capable editor that supports tabs, line numbers, and encoding selection.
- Searching across multiple files with regex-powered Find in Files.
- Editing log files — Notepad++ handles very large files more efficiently than most editors.
- Writing quick scripts in Python, PowerShell, or Bash with syntax coloring and auto-indentation.
Common Issues And Fixes
Check the problem and the exact fix before you reinstall anything. Some guides also include the reason the issue happens.
Problem
Notepad++ is not in PATH after installation
Exact fix
DevTools Installer adds C:\Program Files\Notepad++ to PATH. If you installed manually, add it via Environment Variables. This lets you run "notepad++ file.txt" from any terminal.
Problem
File encoding issues — special characters appear as garbled text
Exact fix
Change encoding via Encoding menu → Convert to UTF-8. Notepad++ supports ANSI, UTF-8, UTF-16, and other encodings. Most modern files should use UTF-8.
Problem
Plugins are not loading after installation
Exact fix
Notepad++ 8.x uses a Plugin Admin (Plugins → Plugin Admin) for management. Ensure plugins are compatible with 64-bit Notepad++ if you installed the x64 version.
Problem
Context menu "Edit with Notepad++" is missing
Exact fix
Re-run the installer and ensure the "context menu entry" option is checked, or add the registry entry manually.
Tips for Notepad++
- ✓Notepad++ is ideal as a lightweight companion editor alongside a full IDE. Use it for quick file edits without the overhead of loading a large IDE.
- ✓Use Plugins → Plugin Admin to install useful extensions like Compare (side-by-side diffs), JSON Viewer, and XML Tools.
- ✓Notepad++ supports macros — record repetitive edit sequences and replay them across files.
- ✓Use View → Word Wrap for long lines, and View → Show Symbol → Show All Characters to debug whitespace issues.
Related Guides
Visual Studio Code
Install VS Code on Windows if you want a fast editor with extensions, terminal integration, and the code command available on PATH.
Git
Install Git on Windows so you can clone repositories, commit changes, use Git Bash, and run git from any terminal.
Python
Install Python on Windows so you can run scripts, create virtual environments, and use pip without the Microsoft Store redirect getting in the way.