# Metapad

> open-source text editor software

**Wikidata**: [Q11777663](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11777663)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metapad)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/metapad

## Summary
Metapad is a free, open-source text editor for Microsoft Windows, originally released in 1999. It offers fast, lightweight text editing with support for large files and multiple languages. As free software, it allows users to run, modify, and redistribute it under the GNU General Public License.

## Key Facts
- First released in 1999
- Runs on Microsoft Windows, including Windows 95 and Windows 7
- Current stable version is 3.6, released on May 28, 2011
- Licensed under GNU General Public License v2.0 (since March 20, 2009)
- Supports over 10 languages including German, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Belarusian
- Written in C (programming language)
- Source code hosted at GitHub: https://github.com/alexd/metapad
- Official website: http://liquidninja.com/metapad/
- Classified as both a text editor and free software

## FAQs
### Q: Is Metapad free to use?
A: Yes, Metapad is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License. Users can freely run, study, modify, and redistribute it.

### Q: What operating systems does Metapad support?
A: Metapad runs on Microsoft Windows, specifically supporting platforms such as Windows 95 and Windows 7. It also works with Wine via AppDB ID 1421.

### Q: Where can I download Metapad?
A: The official website for Metapad is http://liquidninja.com/metapad/. The latest stable version, 3.6, was released on May 28, 2011.

## Why It Matters
Metapad plays a significant role in the ecosystem of lightweight text editors for Windows. Designed for performance and simplicity, it addresses the need for efficient handling of large text files without consuming excessive system resources. Its open-source nature encourages community contributions and transparency, making it a trusted tool among developers and power users who require a minimal but capable alternative to heavier editors. By maintaining compatibility across various versions of Windows—from Windows 95 through Windows 7—it has remained relevant across decades of computing evolution. Additionally, its multilingual support broadens accessibility, reinforcing its utility in diverse user environments.

## Notable For
- Being one of the earliest lightweight, open-source text editors optimized for speed and low resource usage
- Supporting very large file sizes more efficiently than many default Windows text editors
- Longevity—actively maintained since its initial release in 1999, with version 3.6 still considered stable over a decade after its release
- Compatibility with older Windows systems like Windows 95 while remaining functional on newer ones like Windows 7
- Multilingual interface supporting over 10 languages, enhancing global usability

## Body
### Overview
Metapad is an open-source text editor designed for efficiency and minimalism. Initially created in 1999, it serves as a lightweight replacement for Notepad, offering enhanced features such as syntax highlighting, find-and-replace functionality, and improved memory management when working with large files.

### Development History
The project began development in early 1999, with the first public version (1.0a) released on March 24, 1999. Subsequent major releases included version 2.0 (May 5, 2000), version 3.0 (April 8, 2001), and the current stable version 3.6 (released May 28, 2011). Since March 20, 2009, Metapad has been licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2.0.

### Technical Details
- **Programming Language**: C
- **Platform Support**: Microsoft Windows (including legacy versions like Windows 95 and modern ones up to Windows 7)
- **License**: GNU GPL v2.0
- **Repository**: Hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/alexd/metapad
- **Official Website**: http://liquidninja.com/metapad/ (active since June 10, 2001)

### Features & Localization
Metapad supports several international languages including:
- Belarusian
- Bulgarian
- Catalan
- Chinese
- Czech
- Danish
- German
- Estonian
- Spanish
- French

This localization effort increases accessibility for non-English-speaking users worldwide.

### Community & Maintenance
Although no new major updates have occurred recently, Metapad remains actively used due to its stability and performance. The source code continues to be publicly accessible via GitHub, allowing ongoing community contribution and modification. The Open Hub lists it under the name “metapad” (Open Hub ID: metapad), further indicating sustained interest within developer communities.

## References

1. [metapad turns ten](https://liquidninja.com/metapad-turns-ten/)
2. [Source](https://github.com/alexd/metapad/blob/master/metapad.c)
3. [Source](https://openhub.net/p/metapad)
4. [Source](https://liquidninja.com/metapad/)
5. [Announcing Metapad 3.6](https://liquidninja.com/announcing-metapad-3-6)
6. [3.6 final version change](https://github.com/alexd/metapad/commit/5f04b9a2ad3d39964d9d853f022db345b31e561b)
7. [Source](http://liquidninja.com/metapad/oldnews.html)
8. [Source](https://liquidninja.com/metapad/translations-download.html)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013