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Notepad++ is available in a 64-bit version in addition to a 32-bit version.
What benefits does the 64-bit version of Notepad++ have over the 32-bit version when running in Windows 7? What about in Windows 10?
I imagine one of the benefits is being able to load enormous, multi-gigabyte files. Is that correct? Are there other benefits?
EDIT 1: There seemed to be much interest in the release of a 64-bit version of Notepad++, but it's hard to imagine that so many people are using it to edit files over 4GB in size, even if multiple files are open. That made me wonder "What are all the advantages to the 64-bit version of Notepad++?".
EDIT 2: I don't think this is a duplicate of Other benefits of 64-bit OS apart from memory expansion? because I'm asking about specific benefits for this particular application. What makes this case even more curious is that, it's probably safe to say that a majority people don't need to edit more than 4GB of text at a time, and that the 64-bit version of Notepad++ has a major limitation (fewer plugins).
RockPaperLizard
Posted 2019-03-07T17:35:57.980
Reputation: 5 415
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don't know but note that can also try asking https://notepad-plus-plus.org/community/
– barlop – 2019-03-07T17:37:32.773@barlop Thanks. I took a look at logging in to that site before posting here, but it appears they don't have a way to directly login. They force you to login using a third-party, most of which are social media sites. I'm not a fan of third-party logins. Am I missing something, or is that a requirement to post on their site? – RockPaperLizard – 2019-03-07T17:41:44.053
I would assume the same slightly vague benefits as every other 64-bit program (also possible dupe)
– Mokubai – 2019-03-07T17:51:07.990One of the side benefits of running more and more 64-bit native programs is that there is a potential memory saving that will eventually happen. Currently when you have a 64 and 32 bit mix the system has to load both the 64 and 32 bit libraries that perform nearly the same function, so eventually we will reach a point where it is less and less likely to load the 32 bit version, thus saving some (probably relatively small) quantity of memory for other use. – Mokubai – 2019-03-07T18:00:47.037
@RockPaperLizard yeah but it's good to have some gmail accounts that give another name / don't give your name away. Then you'd be fine – barlop – 2019-03-07T18:00:56.337
@Mokubai Thanks for what you wrote. I agree completely, yet the amount of interest in a 64-bit version of Notepad++ seems disproportional to that benefit. – RockPaperLizard – 2019-03-07T18:05:14.733
Honestly, there are some people who get worked up about having a "clean" and "fully native" system and want everything to be 64-bit. There's the same kind of fervour regarding a 64-bit version of Steam, it's irrelevant that it works fine as is, has no need for large memory support and is not computationally expensive so the benefits are minimal at best... but people want it for whatever vague reasons. Notepad++ at least has some (small) point in being able to open files >2GB...
– Mokubai – 2019-03-07T18:07:33.407@Mokubai I've seen lots of posts like that as well. At least in my experience, there is almost always at least one critical item (often software that came with a piece of hardware) that is 32-bit, which prevents a "truly" 64-bit system. – RockPaperLizard – 2019-03-07T18:11:06.410
@Ramhound I edited the question to explain why I don't think it's a duplicate, and added a little more information. – RockPaperLizard – 2019-03-07T18:21:21.917