Notepad++ Setting for Disabling Auto-open Previous Files

Question

How do I stop Notepad++ from loading all files from the past session?

Every time I open a file I have 10 other open tabs with all my past files. I don't want that. When I hit the close button I expect the program to do what I want and close it. If I wanted to save a session I would use the built in session save feature. I don't want to hit the gray x 20 times when I am done so next time I don't have a bunch of files opening and taking up memory.

I tried the -nosession parameter and that works. But it only works if I use the shortcut. It won't work if I use the right-click edit method. How do I set Notepad++ to do this?

Solution 1

For versions 6.6+ you need to uncheck "Remember the current session for next launch" on Settings -> Preferences -> Backup.

For older versions you need to uncheck "Remember the current session for next launch" on Settings -> Preferences.

Solution 2

In Notepad++ v6.6 this setting is moved to the Backup tab of the Preferences menu.

Solution 3

My problem was that Notepad++ was crashing on a file I had previously opened; I was unable to open the application at all. This blog post discusses how to delete the data from the "Sessions" file so that Notepad++ will open without having any prior files open:

From the blog post:

Method 1 - edit session.xml

1. Open file session.xml in C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++ or %APPDATA%\Notepad++
2. Delete its contents and save it
3. Run Notepad++ , session.xml will get new content automatically

Method 2 - add the -nosession parameter to Notepad++ shortcut

1. Create a desktop shortcut referring to your Notepad++ program, e.g. C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe
2. Right click on this shortcut
3. In the "Target" field add the -nosession parameter so the target field looks exaxtly like (apostrophes included too): "C:\Program Files\Notepad++\notepad++.exe" -nosession
4. Save and run Notepad++ from this shortcut icon with no recent files

Note: This is not a permanent setting, this simply deletes the prior session's information / opened files and starts over.

Alternatively, if you know the file which is causing notepad++ to hang, you can simply rename the file and open notepad++. This will solve the problem.

I hadn't seen this solution listed when I was googling my problem so I wanted to add it here!

Solution 4

Ok, I had a problem with Notepad++ not remembering that I had chosen not the "Remember Current Session". I tried hacking the config file, but that didn't work. Then I found out that there is a secret config file in your C:\Users\myuseraccount\AppData\Roaming\Notepad++ directory (Windows 7 x64). Mine was empty, meaning who know where the config was really coming from, but I copied over the file with the one in C:\Program Files (x86)\Notepad++ and now everything works just like you would expect it to.

Solution 5

Go to: Settings > Preferences > Backup > and Uncheck Remember current session for next launch

In older versions (6.5-), this option is located on Settings > Preferences > MISC.

View more solutions