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On windows 7 (x64), the default option, for saving text files in notepad is ANSI. One can select other encoding from the combo box, however, I'd like this option to be the default.

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2 Answers 2

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Idea for saving it in UTF-8 by default, haven't found a different encoding way as default.

  1. Right click -> New -> Text Document

  2. Open it, and do NOT type anything into it.

  3. Go to File -> Save As... and choose UTF-8 under Encoding, press Save and overwrite existing file. Close the file.

  4. Rename New Text Document.txt to TXTUTF-8.txt

  5. Copy TXTUTF-8.txt to C:\WINDOWS\SHELLNEW

  6. Go to "Start -> Run..." and type regedit. Press OK.

  7. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt\ShellNew

  8. Right click in the right window -> New -> String Value and rename it to FileName

  9. Double click on FileName and put TXTUTF-8.txt into value data field and press OK.

  10. Test it: Create new .txt document (Right click -> New -> Text Document). Open it and go to File -> Save As... and see look at the encoding to make sure it defaults to UTF-8.

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    It accomplishes its purpose well, however, sometime, I find myself starting new file with no intentions of saving it, and ending up with something that I'd like to save. That's usually when I encounter that problem, and if I'm not careful enough when saving, it can destroy a document written in a foreign language... It's all a matter of habits, but I hoped there might be some way to change it permanently.
    – akurtser
    May 24, 2010 at 16:28
  • Is there any one-click solution? Oct 7, 2012 at 8:55
  • This doesn't answer the question, of course that's why is not marked as answer. Jun 8, 2019 at 7:45
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In windows 7 (perhaps other systems as well) you need to set the system locale - regional settings > administrative tab > change system locale to the language of your choice. This solved my problem of Hebrew fonts not displaying properly in notepad.

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