Check your Notepad version via Help > About Notepad ; 2. For version 8.0 and later, use Plugins Admin: open Plugins > Plugins Admin, search or browse for the desired plugin, check it, click Install, and restart Notepad after automatic download; 3. For offline or advanced cases, manually download the plugin DLL from a trusted source like the official GitHub repository, place it in the correct plugins folder (either C:\Program Files\Notepad \plugins\ or the portable installation’s plugins subfolder), ensuring proper subfolder structure and 32/64-bit compatibility, then restart Notepad ; 4. Verify installation by checking the Plugins menu, noting that manually installed plugins won’t appear in Plugins Admin or receive auto-updates; 5. Troubleshoot missing plugins by verifying folder placement, running Notepad as administrator, or ensuring version compatibility, and only download plugins from trusted sources to avoid security risks.
Installing plugins in Notepad is straightforward, but the process has changed slightly over recent versions—especially since Notepad 8.0 , which removed the old Plugin Manager in favor of a new system called "Plugins Admin". Here’s how to install plugins correctly depending on your version.

? Check Your Notepad Version First
Before installing anything, go to Help > About Notepad to see your version.
- Notepad 7.9 and earlier: Use the Plugin Manager (built-in).
- Notepad 8.0 and later: Use Plugins Admin (internet connection required).
? Method 1: Using Plugins Admin (Notepad 8.0 )
This is the official and safest way now.

- Open Notepad .
- Go to Plugins > Plugins Admin.
- A window will pop up showing available plugins.
- Browse or search for the plugin you want (e.g., NppExport, TextFX, Hex Editor).
- Check the box next to the plugin.
- Click Install.
- Notepad will download and install it automatically.
- Restart Notepad when prompted.
? Internet connection is required. If you're behind a firewall or proxy, make sure Notepad can access the internet.
?? Method 2: Manual Plugin Installation (Advanced or Offline)
Use this if:

- You're offline.
- The plugin isn’t in Plugins Admin.
- You're using an older version or portable install.
Steps:
-
Download the plugin DLL file from a trusted source:
- Official repo: http://ipnx.cn/link/943c84b16aaafd25f1c0d243cdd357d6
- Or the plugin’s official website.
-
Locate your Notepad plugins folder:
- Default path:
C:\Program Files\Notepad \plugins\
- For portable: Look inside your Notepad folder →
\plugins\
- Default path:
-
Copy the DLL into the correct subfolder:
- Most plugins go directly into
\plugins\
- Some may require a subfolder (e.g.,
\plugins\PluginName\PluginName.dll
)
- Most plugins go directly into
Restart Notepad
Check Plugins menu—your plugin should appear.
?? Warning: Manually installed plugins won’t show in Plugins Admin and won’t auto-update. Also, avoid 32-bit vs 64-bit compatibility issues—make sure the DLL matches your Notepad version.
? Common Issues & Tips
-
Plugin not showing up?
- Make sure it’s in the right folder.
- Try running Notepad as administrator once.
- Some plugins only work in older versions.
-
Missing Plugin Manager in older versions?
- Install it manually from: http://ipnx.cn/link/936bc6fd776ce64da2a129ebba5d27d8 (only for v7.9 and below)
Security tip: Only download plugins from trusted sources to avoid malware.
? Recommended Plugins
- NppExport – Export to RTF/HTML/PDF
- Hex Editor – View files in hex mode
- Compare – Compare two files
- TextFX – Text manipulation tools
- JSON Viewer – Format and view JSON
Most of these are available via Plugins Admin.
Basically, if you're on a recent version, just use Plugins > Plugins Admin—it’s safe and simple. Manual install is for special cases. Keep your Notepad updated to avoid compatibility problems.
The above is the detailed content of How to install Notepad plugins. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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