geditLinux
vs
Windows NotepadWindows
gedit as a Linux alternative to Windows Notepad
Updated
Our verdict
gedit is a solid replacement for Windows Notepad for most users, especially on GNOME desktops. It opens plain text files quickly, supports UTF-8, and handles basic editing reliably. Its clean interface and tabbed design make managing multiple files easy. While it includes optional features like syntax highlighting and plugins, these don't interfere with simple use. If you stick to default settings, gedit feels lightweight and familiar. It’s particularly good for users who occasionally need more than just Notepad but still want simplicity.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 51.0 (October 15, 2026)
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
What works the same
- Both open and save plain text files quickly
- Support UTF-8 and common character encodings
- Launch fast and use minimal system resources when idle
- Feature a simple, clean interface with minimal toolbars
- Handle clipboard operations (copy, paste, cut) reliably
What is different
- gedit supports tabs for multiple files; Notepad now does too, but gedit handles this more smoothly
- gedit includes optional syntax highlighting and line numbers, which Notepad lacks
- gedit has regex search and replace; Notepad only supports basic find/replace
- gedit may feel slightly heavier on non-GNOME desktops due to GTK dependencies
- Windows Notepad has no plugin system, while gedit supports extensions
Opening your Windows Notepad files
gedit opens files created by Windows Notepad without issues, including those with DOS line endings (CRLF). It saves in UTF-8 by default and can read legacy encodings like Windows-1252 if needed. When saving, it correctly writes plain ASCII or UTF-8 text, which remains fully compatible with Notepad. Line endings can be configured, but default to Unix (LF) — however, this doesn't prevent Notepad from opening them, especially in recent Windows 10 and 11 versions that support LF.
Switching from Windows Notepad to gedit, step by step
- Install gedit using your package manager:
sudo apt install gediton Debian/Ubuntu - Set gedit as default for .txt files in your file manager's properties dialog
- Open frequently used text files to test encoding and line ending handling
- Disable unnecessary plugins in Preferences > Plugins to keep it lightweight
- Use Ctrl+N, Ctrl+O, Ctrl+S — shortcuts are identical to Notepad
- Drag and drop text files onto gedit window for quick access
Key features of gedit
- Syntax highlighting for many programming languages
- Plugin system for extending functionality
- Search and replace with regex support
- Configurable font, tab width, and line wrapping
- Line numbers, bracket matching, and auto-indent
- UTF-8 text encoding support
- Drag-and-drop text editing
- Multiple document interface with tabs
How to install gedit on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.geditsudo apt install geditsudo apt install geditsudo dnf install geditsudo pacman -S geditsudo zypper install geditFrequently asked questions
Does gedit work well on non-GNOME desktops like XFCE or KDE?
Yes, gedit runs on any Linux desktop, though it uses more memory on non-GNOME systems due to GTK dependencies. Performance remains acceptable for typical use.
Can gedit open large text files like Notepad++?
gedit can handle moderately large files, but struggles with very large logs or dumps. For files over a few hundred MB, consider using less, vim, or mcedit instead.
Is gedit still maintained even though GNOME switched to GNOME Text Editor?
Yes, gedit is still actively maintained. Version 51.0 was released in 2026, and it remains available in all major distributions and Flathub.
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