I noticed recently that Notepad++ automatically turns URLs into clickable link or hyperlinks.
This feature, introduced in newer versions, can be handy for quick navigation, but also quite annoying when editing scripts, configuration files, or command strings that include URLs. This was an issue for me while working and I found myself going back to the standard Windows Notepad just so I could edit the link, which wasn’t ideal. So, I needed to find a way of disabling clickable links in Notepad++ and I’ve documented it here.
Disabling Hyperlinks – Recent Versions
As of recent updates, the clickable link setting has moved to a new location:
Go to:Settings → Preferences → Cloud & Link
Here you’ll find an option related to Clickable Links.
Uncheck this setting to stop Notepad++ from automatically creating hyperlinks inside your text files.
The Old Way (Legacy Versions)
If you’re running an older version of Notepad++, you’ll find this setting under:
Settings → Preferences → MISC → Clickable Link Settings
There, simply uncheck the option for clickable links.
Apply the Change
After adjusting the setting, you’ll need to reopen your file or restart Notepad++ for the change to take effect.
Once done, your URLs will appear as plain text again — no more unintentional clicks while editing!
If you found this helpful, please leave a comment and while you’re here check out my list of other Tech Tools that you might find useful!