How to Reset Notepad Settings to Default

Posted on by Notepad user
How to Reset Notepad Settings to Default

Introduction

Notepad is one of the simplest text editors in Windows. Many people use it daily for quick notes, coding, or editing configuration files. Over time, users often change settings such as font size, font style, word wrap, or window size to suit their preferences.

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But sometimes, these custom settings cause issues. For example:

  • Text appears too small or too large.
  • Word Wrap doesn’t work as expected.
  • Notepad doesn’t open in its default window size.
  • You accidentally changed font settings and can’t revert.

In such cases, the best solution is to reset Notepad settings back to default. This guide will show you multiple methods to restore Notepad to its original settings.

Why Reset Notepad Settings?

You might need to reset Notepad if:

  • The text looks distorted due to wrong font settings.
  • Word Wrap is causing formatting issues.
  • Notepad opens with the wrong window size every time.
  • You changed settings but forgot the original defaults.
  • You want a fresh start with clean preferences.

👉 Resetting brings Notepad back to its original Windows configuration without reinstalling anything.

Default Settings of Notepad

Before resetting, let’s understand the default Notepad settings:

  • Font: Consolas (or Lucida Console in older versions)
  • Font Size: 11 (may vary slightly by Windows version)
  • Word Wrap: Disabled by default
  • Encoding: ANSI or UTF-8 (depending on version)
  • Window Size: Standard small window when launched

Knowing these defaults helps confirm whether the reset worked.

Method 1: Reset Notepad via Format Menu

If you just changed formatting, you can quickly reset using the built-in options:

  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Go to Format > Font….
  3. Select Consolas (or Lucida Console in older versions).
  4. Choose Regular style, Size 11.
  5. Click OK.

👉 This will restore the font settings close to default.

Method 2: Reset Word Wrap Setting

Word Wrap can change how text looks. To reset:

  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Go to Format > Word Wrap.
  3. If Word Wrap is checked, click it to turn it off.

Now text will appear in its default plain horizontal line format.

Method 3: Reset Notepad Window Size

Sometimes Notepad remembers the last size and position. To reset:

  1. Close Notepad if it’s open.
  2. Right-click on the Notepad shortcut (from Start Menu or Desktop).
  3. Select Properties.
  4. Under the Shortcut tab, click Run and select Normal Window.
  5. Click Apply → OK.

👉 Next time Notepad opens, it will use the default window size.

Method 4: Reset Notepad Using Registry Editor (Advanced)

For a complete reset, including hidden preferences, you can delete Notepad’s registry keys.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful while editing the registry. Wrong changes can affect your system. Always backup your registry before making changes.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + R → type regedit → press Enter.
  2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Notepad
  3. Right-click the Notepad folder.
  4. Select Delete.
  5. Close Registry Editor.
  6. Restart your computer.

👉 When you open Notepad again, Windows will recreate fresh default settings.

Method 5: Reinstall or Repair Notepad (Windows 10/11)

If the above methods don’t work, you can reinstall Notepad.

Steps in Windows 10/11:

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps > Installed Apps (or Apps & Features).
  3. Search for Notepad.
  4. Click Uninstall.
  5. Open Microsoft Store → Search Notepad → Install again.

👉 This gives you a completely fresh Notepad installation with default settings.

Quick Fix: Reset Encoding

Sometimes Notepad saves files in the wrong encoding (like UTF-8 BOM). To reset:

  1. Open Notepad.
  2. Go to File > Save As.
  3. At the bottom, choose Encoding: ANSI (or UTF-8).
  4. Save the file.

This restores default encoding behavior.

Tips to Avoid Resetting Frequently

  • Don’t change too many settings unless necessary.
  • If experimenting, note the default font and size before modifying.
  • Use shortcuts like Alt + O → F to quickly adjust font.
  • For coding, prefer using dedicated editors like Notepad++ or VS Code.

Conclusion

Resetting Notepad to its default settings is easy and can solve most display or formatting problems. You can use simple methods like adjusting font and word wrap, or advanced methods like editing the registry. If nothing works, reinstalling Notepad from the Microsoft Store ensures a clean setup.

👉 With just a few clicks, you can bring Notepad back to its original, simple, distraction-free form.

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