First three things I install on any machine - 7zip, Notepad++, alternate browser.

Same, but additionally Irfanview. And once upon a time, Media Player Classic used to be on that list.

This train of thought made me go find https://www.oldversion.com/. For a while, that was invaluable.

Same, I use ninite for that.

Yes, but I start with the browser. What are the Notepad++ alternatives on Linux and MacOS, for those times when I have to use them?

I love a feature of notepad++ where when you have documents open and exit, it won't bother you with a save dialog and when you open it again the previous state will be there. I found that mousepad on linux can do this.

For something functionality close I would look at Kate.

I love and hate it at the same time, just like my browser tabs hoarding, it means I currently have 218 open documents on Notepad++ (and 96 browser tabs). I might not even need them anymore, but it's always "I'll look at them... later".

Sublime Text. I think it's better than Notepad++ and is available for all computer platforms, not just Windows.

Geany. Both npp and geany use the same editor component.

Sublime maybe?

vim :)