Open the official Notepad++ downloads page, choose the current stable release, and download the x64 Installer for a normal Intel or AMD Windows 11 PC or the ARM64 Installer for an Arm-based PC. Run the installer, keep the standard components unless you have a specific reason to change them, then launch Notepad++ and save a small test file.
1
Check whether the PC is x64 or ARM64
Open Start > Settings > System > About. Under Device specifications, read System type. If it says x64-based processor, use the x64 installer. If it says ARM-based processor, use ARM64. The x86 download is not the normal choice for Windows 11 in this guide.
2
Open the official downloads page
Go directly to the official Notepad++ downloads page and select the current stable release. Confirm the address remains on notepad-plus-plus.org or the publisher's notepad-plus-plus GitHub release before downloading.
3
Choose the installer package
In the section matching the architecture from Step 1, select Installer rather than a portable archive. Most PCs use the filename ending in Installer.x64.exe; Arm PCs use Installer.arm64.exe. The version number changes with each release.
4
Run the official installer
Open the browser's Downloads list or File Explorer's Downloads folder and double-click the downloaded installer. Approve the Windows administrator prompt only after confirming it is the file obtained from the official release.
5
Complete setup
Choose the installer language, select Next, accept the license terms, and keep the proposed installation folder unless the PC is managed or you deliberately need another location. Keep the normal component selection, choose optional shortcuts, select Install, and wait for completion.
6
Launch and verify Notepad++
Leave Run Notepad++ selected and choose Finish, or open Start and search for Notepad++. Choose File > New, type `Notepad++ is working`, then File > Save As and save `notepad-test.txt`. Reopen that file to confirm the installation works.
If it does not work
If Windows says the app cannot run on this PC, recheck Settings > System > About and download the installer matching System type.
If SmartScreen warns about the file, confirm it came from the official release and compare the published SHA-256 checksum; do not use a mirror.
If the administrator prompt is denied on a work or school PC, stop and ask the administrator rather than bypassing policy.
If the PC is in Windows 11 S mode, external installers may be blocked. Switching out of S mode is one-way, so do not do that merely for this editor without understanding the consequence.
If setup reports files in use, save documents, close every Notepad++ window, and run the same official installer again.
If setup finishes but the app does not open, record the exact Windows message and installer architecture before reinstalling; do not add plugins until the base editor opens.
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform update.
