Quick Answer
notepad++.exe is safe. It's the official Notepad++ editor, a lightweight, open-source text editor with multi-document support and syntax highlighting.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe
Warning
Notepad++ normally runs as a single process, but plugins can spawn helper threads
Only legitimate Notepad++ binaries from official sources should be present
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close Notepad++ to stop activity; disable Windows startup entry if configured
What is notepad++.exe?
notepad++.exe is the executable for Notepad++, a lightweight open-source text editor designed for coding and general text editing. It supports multi-document editing in tabs, syntax highlighting, code folding, macro support, and a plugin ecosystem. It runs efficiently on Windows and starts quickly when you open a file.
Notepad++ uses a small, efficient process with fast buffer handling and the Scintilla editing component for rendering text, syntax coloring, and folding. Plugins extend capabilities but run within the same process for responsiveness.
Quick Fact: Notepad++ pioneered plugin extensibility and syntax highlighting for lightweight editors on Windows.
Types of Notepad++ Processes
- Main Process: UI, menus, and document model (1 instance)
- Document Worker Threads: Background file IO and editing operations (multi-threaded)
- Plugin Modules: Plugins loaded into the main process via DLLs
- Macro Engine: Macros executed within the main process
- Update/Installer: Background update checks and installer hooks
- Temporary I/O: Temporary files and autosave buffers
Is notepad++.exe Safe?
Yes, notepad++.exe is safe when downloaded from official sources (notepad-plus-plus.org) or trusted mirrors.
Is notepad++.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real notepad++.exe is NOT a virus. Malware masquerading as Notepad++ or tampering with paths should be investigated.
How to Tell if notepad++.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe. Any notepad++.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should display signer "Notepad++ Team" or a trusted Notepad++ signer.
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is typically <1-6% CPU with light editor workloads and <100 MB RAM. Constant high usage or unusual IO is suspicious.
- Behavior: Notepad++ should respond quickly to edits and open files normally. Background network activity or persistence after close is a red flag.
Red Flags: If notepad++.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData or System32), runs when Notepad++ isn't open, has no valid digital signature, or uses persistent resources, scan with a reputable antivirus immediately. Watch for similarly named files like "notepad++.exe.bak".
Why Is notepadplusplus.exe Running on My PC?
notepadplusplus.exe runs when you launch Notepad++ or when a plugin, macro, or session restore activity occurs. It may also stay resident briefly for file monitoring and autosave operations.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Editing: You're editing one or more documents; Notepad++ loads file buffers and updates the session state with each change.
- Background Plugins: Installed plugins can run background tasks, such as code linting or autocompletion services.
- Session Restore: On startup, Notepad++ restores the previous session, opening recently closed files.
- Startup Entry: Notepad++ may be configured to launch on Windows startup via Run keys or startup folders.
- Autosave/Update Checks: Notepad++ performs periodic autosave operations and checks for updates, briefly keeping the process active.
Can I Disable or Remove notepad++.exe?
Yes, you can disable notepad++.exe. It's safe to close Notepad++ when you're done editing, and you can uninstall it if you prefer another editor.
How to Stop notepad++.exe
- End Documents: Close all open documents; Notepad++ will exit when the last document is closed.
- Close Application: Click the X button or use Alt+F4 to close Notepad++ windows
- End Task: Open Windows Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), locate notepad++.exe, right-click -> End Task
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager -> Startup tab -> Disable Notepad++
- Stop Plugins: Notepad++ -> Plugins Admin -> Disable or uninstall unnecessary plugins
How to Uninstall Notepad++
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Notepad++ → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Notepad++ → Uninstall
- ✔ If you use the official installer, rerun it and choose Remove or Uninstall Notepad++
Common Problems: Performance or Crashes
If notepad++.exe is misbehaving, try these common causes and solutions to stabilize editing experience:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Large files or heavy syntax highlighting: Open smaller files, disable unused language syntax, or switch to plain text mode for very large files.
- Plugins causing instability: In Plugins Admin, disable or remove problematic plugins; restart Notepad++.
- Outdated Notepad++: Update to the latest version from notepad-plus-plus.org to get bug fixes.
- Corrupted configuration (config.xml): Back up and reset config.xml in %APPDATA%\Notepad++ (rename config.xml and relaunch).
- Insufficient permissions: Run Notepad++ as Administrator or adjust file/folder permissions for the target files.
- Antivirus interference: Add Notepad++ to your antivirus exclusions or temporarily disable scanning for its install folder.
Quick Fixes:
1. Close unnecessary large files and disable heavy plugins
2. Update Notepad++ to the latest version
3. Reset view settings: View -> Customize Toolbars (reset to defaults)
4. Run as Administrator if saving to protected folders
5. Check for antivirus exclusions for the Notepad++ install folder
Frequently Asked Questions
Is notepad++.exe a virus?
No. The legitimate notepad++.exe from notepad-plus-plus.org or official mirrors is safe. Always verify the file path.
Why is notepad++.exe using CPU or memory?
Editing large files, heavy syntax highlighting, and active plugins can increase CPU/memory. Close unused files or disable plugins to reduce usage.
Where is Notepad++ installed by default?
Default paths are C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++\notepad++.exe.
Can I run Notepad++ without admin rights?
Yes, you can run Notepad++ without administrator privileges for typical editing. Admin rights may be required to save to protected folders or install plugins.
How do I uninstall Notepad++?
Use Windows Settings → Apps → Notepad++ → Uninstall, or the Notepad++ installer in Programs, and follow the prompts.
How do I speed up Notepad++?
Update to the latest version, disable unused plugins, limit large file operations, and consider turning off heavy syntax highlighting for very large files.