Install a plugin with Plugins Admin
Plugins add features to the editor. Start with the built-in plugin manager instead of guessing where a downloaded DLL should go.
Save your open work
Plugin installation can restart Notepad++. Save changes before opening the manager.
Open Plugins Admin
Choose Plugins → Plugins Admin. The Available tab lists plugins offered for your setup.
Select the checkbox
Read the description and tick the checkbox for the plugin you want. Highlighting a row alone does not select it for installation.
Install and restart
Use Install and follow the prompts. When the editor restarts, check the Plugins menu for the new entry and review that plugin’s own instructions.
Each plugin has its own author, behavior and documentation. Read what it does before installing it, and add one at a time so you can see which change affects your workflow.
Update or remove a plugin
Use Plugins Admin to inspect available updates and the installed list. Save your documents before making a change that will restart the editor. If a feature is no longer useful, remove its plugin through the manager and restart when requested.
The official plugin list repository documents the list used by Plugins Admin. The official plugin manual explains installation and plugin folder layout.
Why a plugin may not appear
The package is mini-portable
Mini-portable omits bundled plugins and Plugins Admin. Use the full portable edition when you want the built-in manager.
The build does not match
A plugin DLL must match the architecture of the Notepad++ process. An x64 plugin is not an ARM64 or x86 plugin. Check the plugin author’s release notes before a manual installation.
The folder layout is wrong
Manual installation uses a plugin subfolder named after the DLL, with the DLL inside it. For example, a plugin named ExamplePlugin.dll belongs under plugins/ExamplePlugin/ExamplePlugin.dll. Additional files may be required by its author.
The editor has not restarted
After adding a plugin, completely exit Notepad++ and reopen it. If the plugin still does not load, check the author’s compatibility and installation guidance.
Plugin questions
Why is the Install button inactive?
Tick the plugin’s checkbox. Clicking a row to read its description does not itself choose that plugin for installation.
Can I install a plugin manually?
Yes, when the author provides a compatible package and installation instructions. Prefer Plugins Admin for listed plugins; manual packages can include supporting files that must be placed correctly.
Will every plugin work with every build?
No. Architecture, Notepad++ version and plugin compatibility matter. Check the plugin’s documentation for your setup.
Sources: official plugins documentation and official plugin list.