Install Notepad on Ubuntu 20.04 via Snap: Easy Steps

This guide shows you how to install Notepad (the classic Windows text editor) on Ubuntu 20.04 using Snap. Snap is a universal package manager that works on most Linux distributions, so the same commands will work on other versions too. You’ll have Notepad running in a few minutes, with all its familiar features like syntax highlighting and search-and-replace.

What You’ll Need

• Ubuntu 20.04 (or any Linux distribution with Snap support)
• An internet connection to download the Snap package
• Terminal access (you can open it with Ctrl+Alt+T)
• sudo privileges (you’ll be prompted for your password)

Step-by-Step

1. Open a terminal window. Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard, or search for “Terminal” in the applications menu.
2. Check if Snap is installed. Run snap --version. If you see version information, Snap is ready. If not, install it with sudo apt update && sudo apt install snapd.
3. Search for Notepad in the Snap store. Run snap find notepad. You’ll see a list of Snap packages related to Notepad. Look for the official one, usually named notepad or notepad-plus-plus.
4. Install Notepad. Run sudo snap install notepad. If you prefer Notepad++ (the more advanced version), use sudo snap install notepad-plus-plus. Wait for the download and installation to complete.
5. Launch Notepad. After installation, you can start it from the applications menu (search for “Notepad”) or run notepad in the terminal.
6. Verify the installation. Run snap list | grep notepad to confirm that Notepad is installed and its version.

Common Mistakes

• Typing the wrong package name. There are several Notepad-like snaps. Make sure you use the exact name from the search results. The official one is usually notepad.
• Forgetting sudo. Installing a Snap package requires administrator privileges. Always use sudo before snap install.
• Not updating Snap first. If Snap is outdated, it might fail to install. Run sudo snap refresh before installing to ensure you have the latest Snap core.
• Assuming Notepad++ is the same as Notepad. They are different applications. Notepad is the simple editor; Notepad++ has more features. Choose the one you actually want.

Tips

• Use the command-line launcher. After installation, you can start Notepad from any terminal by typing notepad (or notepad-plus-plus for the ++ version).
• Pin it to your dock. While Notepad is running, right-click its icon in the dock and select “Add to Favorites” for quick access.
• Open files with Notepad. Right-click a text file, choose “Open With Other Application,” and select Notepad from the list.
• Keep it updated. Snap packages update automatically in the background, but you can also run sudo snap refresh notepad manually.
• Uninstall when done. If you no longer need it, remove it with sudo snap remove notepad.

Troubleshooting

Snap command not found. If snap isn’t recognized, install Snap first: sudo apt update && sudo apt install snapd. Then log out and back in, or restart your system, to ensure the Snap environment is properly set up.

Installation fails with “error: cannot install “notepad”: snap not found”. This means the package name is incorrect. Run snap find notepad to see the exact names available. For example, it might be notepad or notepad-plus-plus.

Notepad doesn’t appear in the applications menu. Sometimes the menu cache takes a moment to update. Try logging out and back in, or run notepad from the terminal to test if it works. If it launches, you can manually create a desktop entry if needed.

Notepad won’t start. Check if the Snap service is running: systemctl status snapd. If it’s not active, start it with sudo systemctl start snapd. Also, ensure your system’s time is correct, as Snap uses time-based validation.

Permission errors. If you see “Permission denied” when launching, try running sudo snap refresh to update the Snap environment, then relaunch Notepad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Notepad available in the Ubuntu repository? Notepad itself isn’t in the default apt repository, but Snap provides an easy way to install it. Alternatively, you can install Notepad++ via Snap or use other editors like Gedit (pre-installed) or Vim.

What’s the difference between Notepad and Notepad++? Notepad is a basic text editor with simple features. Notepad++ is a more advanced editor with syntax highlighting, plugins, and multi-document support. Both are available as Snap packages.

Can I use Notepad to edit system files? Yes, but you’ll need to run it with elevated privileges, e.g., sudo notepad /etc/hosts. Be careful when editing system files; always make a backup first.

Does Notepad support plugins? The standard Notepad Snap does not support plugins. If you need plugin support, install Notepad++ instead.

How do I uninstall Notepad? Use sudo snap remove notepad (or notepad-plus-plus). This removes the application and its data.

Will Notepad open files from my Windows partition? Yes, you can open any text file accessible from your Ubuntu file system, including those on mounted Windows partitions. Just be aware of file permissions.

Related

• Send Outlook Availability Without Switching Apps
• Crashing Shockwave Flash on Chrome? Fixes That Work
• Stop Windows 11 Apps Installing on Other Drives