STR:
Preferences -> Highlighting.
Uncheck "Enable".
Close NPP and restart it.

Result:
The new sub options ("Match whole word only" and "Use Find dialog settings") are enabled.

A fresh portable NPP 7.1.

Notepad++ v7.1 (32-bit)
Build time : Oct 15 2016 - 23:30:30
Path :
Admin mode : ON
Local Conf mode : ON
OS : Windows 7
Plugins : mimeTools.dll NppConverter.dll NppExport.dll PluginManager.dll