Why a simple text editor requires auto-updates at all?

Because Windows users don't have basic package management that anyone can use and they probably got tired of idiots getting malware trying to Google random Notepad++ binaries. It's turtles all the way down.

This not answers my question. I just don't see any necessity to update an editor like Notepad++ at all. Such programs are usually stable and there is no need to add new features constantly. Even security vulnerabilities don't matter much, since a text editor isn't that critical piece of software.

My Notepad++ installation, for example, is 5 years old and it's fine for me.

It probably started with no updates and only a link in the Help menu. Over time they noticed users were getting scammed from Google Ads and other malware delivery methods.

As others have mentioned it a program like this should default into a configuration that has no networking capabilities.

> Even security vulnerabilities don't matter much, since a text editor isn't that critical piece of software.

…that’s not how that decision should be made at all! :]