Intune App Packaging

How to Deploy Notepad++ via Intune (Win32 App Packaging Guide)

Published 17 March 2026 · 6 min read

Notepad++ is one of the trickier common apps to package for Intune because the official installer is an EXE with an NSIS installer rather than an MSI. The silent install switch exists but the detection rule needs care. This guide covers both the EXE approach and an alternative using the unofficial MSI wrapper that some organisations prefer.

Contents
  1. Download the installer
  2. Wrap with the Content Prep Tool
  3. Add the app in Intune
  4. Install and uninstall commands
  5. Detection rule
  6. Known gotchas

Download the installer

Download the 64-bit installer from the official Notepad++ site:

https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/

Download the npp.x.x.x.Installer.x64.exe file. Avoid the portable version and the 32-bit installer unless you have specific requirements.

⚠️
No official MSI
Notepad++ does not provide an official MSI. The EXE uses an NSIS installer which supports silent switches. Some organisations wrap it in an unofficial MSI using tools like Advanced Installer, but for most Intune deployments the EXE approach works fine.

Wrap with the Content Prep Tool

IntuneWinAppUtil.exe -c "C:\AppSource\NotepadPP" -s "npp.8.7.1.Installer.x64.exe" -o "C:\IntunePackages"

Add the app in Intune

Intune Admin Centre → Apps → Windows → + Add → Windows app (Win32)
  1. Upload the .intunewin file
  2. Name: Notepad++
  3. Publisher: Don Ho

Install and uninstall commands

Notepad++ uses an NSIS installer. The silent switch is /S (capital S).

⚙️
Program settings
[]
Install command/S = silent install (NSIS convention, capital S required)
npp.8.7.1.Installer.x64.exe /S
Uninstall commandNSIS uninstaller also accepts /S for silent removal
C:\Program Files\Notepad++\uninstall.exe /S
Install behaviour
System
Device restart behaviour
No specific action
💡
Update the filename each version
The installer filename includes the version number. Update the install command each time you repackage with a newer version. Consider using a script to detect the filename dynamically if you package frequently.

Detection rule

Use a registry detection rule for Notepad++ as it is more reliable than a file path check:

🔍
Registry detection rule
[]
Rule type
Registry
Key path
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Notepad++
Value name
DisplayName
Detection method
Key exists

Alternatively, check for the executable:

🔍
File detection rule (alternative)
[]
Rule type
File
Path
C:\Program Files\Notepad++
File or folder name
notepad++.exe
Detection method
File or folder exists
💡
Test your detection rule first
Before deploying to users, install the app manually on a test device and verify the detection rule matches. Run the detection script or check the file path exists before assigning to a group.

Known gotchas

Desktop shortcut appearing after install

The NSIS installer creates a desktop shortcut by default. Add the /nodesktopicon switch to suppress it:

npp.8.7.1.Installer.x64.exe /S /nodesktopicon

Auto-update prompts

Notepad++ checks for updates on launch and prompts users. Suppress this by deploying a config file or using the /noUpdater switch during install to skip the updater entirely:

npp.8.7.1.Installer.x64.exe /S /nodesktopicon /noUpdater
Installer typeEXE (NSIS)
Silent installYes - /S /nodesktopicon /noUpdater
Install pathC:\Program Files\Notepad++
Reboot requiredNo
ComplexityLow-medium (EXE, no MSI)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I deploy Notepad++ silently via Intune?

Use: npp.x.x.x.Installer.x64.exe /S /nodesktopicon /noUpdater. The /S switch (capital S) is the NSIS silent flag. /nodesktopicon suppresses the desktop shortcut and /noUpdater disables the built-in updater.

Q: Does Notepad++ have an MSI installer?

No. Notepad++ only provides an NSIS EXE installer. There is no official MSI. Use the EXE with the /S silent switch and wrap it with IntuneWinAppUtil as normal.

Q: How do I detect Notepad++ in Intune?

Use a registry detection rule: check for the key HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Notepad++. Alternatively check for notepad++.exe in C:\Program Files\Notepad++.

Q: How do I stop Notepad++ from creating a desktop shortcut during Intune deployment?

Add /nodesktopicon to the install command: npp.x.x.x.Installer.x64.exe /S /nodesktopicon. This suppresses the shortcut for all users during the silent install.

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