Keywords: Notepad++ | Plugin Manager | Manual Installation
Abstract: This article analyzes the reasons for the official removal of the plugin manager in Notepad++ 7.5, based on Q&A data and reference articles, providing a complete manual installation guide including download sources, file placement, and restart steps, with discussion on 32-bit and 64-bit version support differences.
Background of Plugin Manager Removal
Starting from Notepad++ version 7.5, the plugin manager is no longer included by default. According to the release notes, the primary reason for removal is that the plugin manager dialog contained advertisements, and the Notepad++ development team strongly opposes ads in applications to ensure a pure user experience.
Steps for Manual Installation of Plugin Manager
Users can download the plugin manager from the GitHub repository. First, visit the releases page to obtain the latest version, such as downloading the PluginManager_v1.4.12_x64.zip file. After extraction, place the PluginManager.dll file into the Notepad++ plugins directory, typically at C:\Program Files\Notepad++\plugins. Additionally, place the gpup.exe file into the updater directory, e.g., C:\Program Files\Notepad++\updater. Once files are copied, restart Notepad++ to see the manager option in the plugins menu.
Version Compatibility and Considerations
It is important to note that the plugin manager primarily supports the 32-bit version, with potential limitations on 64-bit versions. If users encounter issues, they may consider installing an older version like 7.3.3 first, then upgrading to the latest, or manually adding it from GitHub. This approach ensures plugin availability while avoiding ad interference.
Future Outlook
The Notepad++ team is developing a built-in plugin manager, planned for integration in future versions to provide a more seamless plugin management experience.