How to change the default font and size in notepad

To set a persistent default font in Notepad: 1) Use Format → Font for the current session only; 2) Launch Notepad via a shortcut pointing to a pre-formatted RTF file; or 3) Switch to Notepad , which natively saves font preferences.

If you want to change the default font and size in Notepad, you need to modify its settings through the built-in formatting interface. Notepad does not store font preferences persistently across sessions by default, but a consistent appearance can be achieved using specific configuration steps.

The operating environment of this tutorial: Windows 11 Pro, Notepad version 11.2308.24.0.

1. Set font and size for the current session

This method applies the selected font and size only to the currently open document and does not affect future Notepad instances. It is the standard way to adjust appearance during active editing.

• Open Notepad.
• Click Format → Font from the menu bar.
• In the Font dialog box, select your preferred Font, Style, and Size.
• Click OK to apply the changes to the current document.

2. Modify the Notepad shortcut target to enforce default font

This approach uses a registry-based workaround by launching Notepad with a predefined RTF file that contains embedded font settings. It relies on Notepad’s behavior of retaining formatting when opening RTF files.

• Create a new text file and save it as default.rtf on your desktop.
• Open the file in Notepad, type one character, then go to Format → Font and set your desired font and size.
• Save the file — Notepad will preserve the font metadata in RTF format.
• Right-click the Notepad shortcut you use, select Properties, and append the full path to default.rtf after the target path (e.g., "C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe" "C:\Users\Name\Desktop\default.rtf").
• Click OK and launch Notepad via that shortcut.

3. Use Notepad as a persistent alternative

This method bypasses native Notepad limitations entirely by installing Notepad , a free, open-source editor that supports configurable default fonts and sizes stored in user preferences.

• Download and install Notepad from the official website.
• Launch Notepad , then go to Settings → Style Configurator.
• Select Global Styles → Default Style in the left panel.
• Adjust Font name and Font size in the right panel.
• Click Save & Close — the settings persist across all new documents and sessions.

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