Notepad++ is a versatile text editor and source code editor for Windows.  One main advantage of Notepad++ over the built-in Windows text editor, Notepad, is tabbed editing, to easily work with multiple open files.

Notepad++ is a windows Notepad replacement with an eye toward programmers, although it should also appeal to the casual user who wants a cross between Notepad and WordPad. Notepad++ has some noticeable differences from WordPad. Support for tabs is key, letting users manage different documents simultaneously. Line-numbering is important, too, a feature that nobody mucking about in C should be without.

Pros:

• Supports syntax coloration of numerous languages.
• Easy to use and great interface.
• Almost endless possibilities to edit and customize.
• Allows FTP connection.
• Tabbed interface is great.
• Integrates seamlessly into windows explorer.
• Free and open source product.
• Great collection of plugins.
• Macro recording and execution.
• Powerful regular expression text search and replace.

Cons:

• VERY annoying software update nag notification.
• Not cross platform (only Windows binaries are released).
• Is very slow with large files.
• Newer version does not have the ability to view hexadecimal files.
• Does not have “Column Mode”.

Overall, Notepad++ is a great replacement for Notepad. It has tons of options, even some features which you could only expect to find in a paid-for IDE, yet it still starts in mere miliseconds. Not to mention – when it starts it loads all your tabs (yes, tabbed-documents, just like your favorite browser) just as they were when you closed.