Notepad++ frequently asked questions
Common questions from people downloading and setting up Notepad++ on a Windows PC. Longer walkthroughs live in the installation guide and the feature overview.
Is Notepad++ free?
Yes. Notepad++ is free and open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License v2. There is no paid edition, no trial period and no license key.
How do I download Notepad++ for Windows?
Open the download page, pick the current release, and choose the x64 installer for a 64-bit Windows PC, the x86 installer for 32-bit Windows, or the ARM64 build for Windows on ARM devices.
Does Notepad++ work on Windows 10?
Yes. The current release runs on Windows 10 in 64-bit and 32-bit editions without any compatibility settings.
Does Notepad++ work on Windows 11?
Yes, including on ARM64 hardware. On Windows 11 the Edit with Notepad++ shell command sits under Show more options in the right-click menu.
How do I install Notepad++?
Run the downloaded installer, accept the GPL license, keep the default folder, choose whether to add the context menu entry and auto-updater, then finish the wizard and launch the editor from the Start menu.
Can I use Notepad++ as my default text editor?
Yes. Right-click a file, choose Open with > Choose another app, select Notepad++, and tick Always use this app for that file type.
What is the portable version?
A ZIP or 7z package of the same editor that runs from any folder or USB drive without an installer and without writing to the registry.
How do I highlight text in Notepad++?
Select a word and use Search > Mark to colour every occurrence, or right-click and choose Style all occurrences of token. Language syntax highlighting is applied automatically based on the file extension.
How do I verify that my download is genuine?
Each release page lists SHA-256 checksums and GPG signatures for every published file, so you can verify the installer or portable archive before running it.