Outgrown Windows Notepad for scripts, config files or code? The free Notepad++ combines tabbed editing with language-aware editing for code, scripts, and plain text.
Edit code in language-aware tabs
Choose a programming language for a document to apply syntax highlighting, which distinguishes elements of the code while you read or edit it. The tab bar keeps separate files available in the same window, making it straightforward to switch between a script, its notes, and related text without opening a separate editor window for each one.
Auto-completion and bracket matching provide editing cues while you work through code. The same editor also handles ordinary text, including large files such as logs, where quick opening and navigation matter.
Search with patterns across files
Use the search and replace tools for changes within a document, or use Find in Files to search through multiple files. Regular-expression support lets a search describe a pattern, which is handy for locating text that varies in predictable ways.
- Search a single document for text or a pattern.
- Use replacement tools to change matching text.
- Search across files when the target may appear in more than one document.
Switch between source and plain text
Notepad++ works both as a code editor and as an everyday replacement for Notepad: open, edit and save a file without setting up a project.
Pros
- Tabbed editing keeps several documents in one window
- Syntax highlighting covers many programming languages
- Regular-expression search and Find in Files support broader text searches
System requirements: Windows 10, Windows 11
Can Notepad++ search across multiple files?
Yes. Find in Files searches across multiple files, and search tools support regular expressions.
Does Notepad++ highlight programming code?
Yes. It provides syntax highlighting for many programming languages.
Can I edit several documents in one window?
Yes. Open documents appear in separate tabs in the same window.
