Text/code editor

Questions
1

Can you recommend a Notepad++ alternative? I want something lightweight that does not need admin priviliges to run.

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Privacy alternative for opening and editing txt files
2

Not really lightweight but VS Codium is FLOSS and can run as a Flatpack without many neccessary permissions (The defaults are very invasive but you can remove them all and it still runs)

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3

Considering the OP gave NotePad++ as the example I would assume that they are using Windows, so Linux exclusive applications or packaging methods may not be applicable.

As to the original question: individual definitions of “lightweight” vary a lot, so further elaboration on this by the OP may help the community provide more appropriate suggestions.

Personally I have not used Windows in some time, so i do not know what hot editors exist over there these days and I’ve been using a combination of Vim and Emacs on Linux systems for the last few years.

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4

I recommend sublime text

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5
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6

VSCodium is also available for Windows! I used to use it on all the platforms I had, but now I mainly use Emacs or Neovim.

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7

Yea, I thought it may be. I just wanted to bring clarity to the discussion because Flatpak permissions were brought up which are Linux only.

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8

Try Bluefish editor

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9

If it’s for coding, perhaps Zed would be useful to you?

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10

Yes, Windows. By lightweight I mean that I basically only need it for editing plain text, php and maybe some java. I don’t need any fancy options, plugins etc.

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11

Why not use Notepad++ portable?

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12

No bloat, no nonsense and fully-customizable.
Don’t spam it with plugins and it will be plenty fast if you don’t open files longer than 20M lines. :+1:t2:

You can also use vi/vim in the terminal if it’s for something super basic like a config file.

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13

I use fresh, but it’s terminal based.

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14

I am confused. I am running Notepad++; it has never required admin privileges to run.

I would carefully check your existing setup, though, given the recent update mishap/malware installation purportedly only affecting East Asia.

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15

There’s also KWrite and Kate.

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16

You probably right, but VS Codium is also available for Windows, but I am not sure if it needs admin permissions.

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17

This all comes down to what OP is doing with their plugins/folders/env variables I think.

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18

You need admin priviliges to install it, and it is installed system-wide. Same with Libre Office.

@crossroads that might be an option, too, but I am not sure if the portable version lacks anything. I know the portable Libre Office version is way behind the installed version unfortunately.

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19

I second for Geany :+1:

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20

For general text viewing and editing on Windows specifically, I second this.

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