Code Writer
What Code Writer is
Code Writer is a free Windows text and code editor with syntax highlighting for more than 20 file types, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JSON, C#, Python, Ruby, and SQL. Depending on the file type, it can provide outlining, syntax-error display, formatting, quick information, auto-completion, color previews, and automatic case correction. Users can create documents, open accessible files, reopen recent documents, and keep open documents between sessions. A command palette provides commands, recent documents, and go-to-line; a search sidebar supports find and replace. Settings include themes, font family and size, line numbers, word wrap, current-line highlighting, indentation guides, whitespace, and line endings. The app supports file associations, touch selection, keyboard shortcuts, and printing. It is distributed through the Microsoft Store and requires Windows 10 or later. The listed latest build is version 4.2.42, released February 25, 2021.
Who it suits
Code Writer suits Windows users who need a free editor for common web, scripting, and programming file types. Its documented editing and navigation tools also fit users who reopen documents regularly or prefer customizable display settings.
What it does well
- Free Windows editor
- Syntax highlighting for 20-plus file types
- Command palette and find-and-replace sidebar
- Documents persist between sessions
- Supports themes, shortcuts, touch, and printing
What to know first
- Windows 10 or later required
- Latest listed build dates to February 25, 2021
- UWP restrictions limit protocol file opening
- No third-party integrations listed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free advanced text and code editor for Windows · Windows 10 or later | Free |
As actiprosoftware.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Code Writer provides a broad set of coding and text-editing tools at no listed cost on Windows. Its older listed build and UWP file-opening restriction are important considerations for current workflows.
Facts from Code Writer's own pages
- Community and support
- Actipro points users to Slack for interactive discussion and to public forums for questions, problem reports, and feature suggestions. · actiprosoftware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Settings include themes, font, line numbers, word wrap, current-line highlighting, indentation guides, whitespace, and line endings. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The download page links to the Microsoft Store to get Code Writer. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Document handling
- Users can create documents, open accessible documents, reopen recent documents, and have open documents persisted between app sessions. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Documents
- Users can create documents, open accessible documents, reopen recent documents, and have open documents persisted between app sessions. · actiprosoftware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Download and platform
- The product page links to the Microsoft Store and lists Windows 10 or later (Fall Creators Update or later) as its environment. · actiprosoftware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Editing features
- Some file types support code outlining, syntax errors, text formatting, quick info, auto-completion, color previews, and auto-case correction. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- File access limitation
- Actipro support says UWP security restrictions mean the app can open only files recently opened through an app picker when using its file-opening protocol. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- File associations
- The app can be set as the default editor for various file types. · actiprosoftware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- File types
- It provides syntax highlighting for 20 or more file types, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JSON, C#, Python, and SQL. · actiprosoftware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · actiprosoftware.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Input and printing
- The app supports touch-based text selection, keyboard shortcuts, and document printing with multiple options. · actiprosoftware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations and community
- The product page directs users to a Code Writer Slack workspace and public discussion forum; it does not list third-party integrations. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Large-file handling
- Yes · actiprosoftware.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Latest listed build
- The page lists version 4.2.42, released February 25, 2021. · actiprosoftware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Actipro Software LLC says it is a privately held commercial software provider based in Cleveland, Ohio, and founded in 1999. · actiprosoftware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Maker identity
- Actipro Software LLC says it is a privately held provider of commercial software components for Microsoft .NET, based in Cleveland, Ohio, and founded in 1999. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker security policy
- Actipro's security practices page describes its UI control libraries as client-side components that do not process, store, or transmit customer data; this statement is about the controls, not specifically Code Writer. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Navigation and search
- The app includes a command palette for commands, recent documents, and go-to-line, plus a search sidebar with find and replace. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Other capabilities
- Code Writer supports file associations, touch-based selection, keyboard shortcuts, and document printing. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Platform and version
- The listed latest build is v4.2.42, released 2021-02-25, and the app requires Windows 10 or later. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- Actipro's privacy policy describes data practices for its website and says website traffic uses SSL; it does not specify Code Writer app security or compliance certifications. · actiprosoftware.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Code Writer is an advanced text and code editor app with syntax highlighting for Windows. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- Actipro lists documentation, public discussion forums, and support tickets as technical support channels. · actiprosoftware.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Code Writer stands on Freedom251
- Text Editors#60 of 82