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Notepad is a simple and handy text editor included with Windows 11. Many users prefer to have word wrap enabled by default to avoid horizontal scrolling.

However, Notepad does not provide a direct option to set word wrap as the default setting. This can be frustrating if you want every new file to open with word wrap enabled automatically.

In this guide, we will walk you through easy steps to fix the issue and make word wrap the default in Notepad on Windows 11.

By following these instructions, you will improve your Notepad experience and save time adjusting settings every time.

Quick Note Before You Begin

• Ensure you are using the default Notepad app that comes with Windows 11, not a third-party text editor.
• Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date, as some updates improve Notepad functionality.
• Remember that Notepad saves settings per user and per file type, so changes might not reflect immediately everywhere.

Step 1: Enable Word Wrap Manually

Before trying to set word wrap as default, confirm that you know how to enable it manually:

1. Open Notepad.
2. Click on the Format menu at the top.
3. Click on Word Wrap from the dropdown. A checkmark will appear next to it, indicating it is enabled.

Enabling word wrap here only affects the current session or file. The next time you open Notepad, word wrap will be disabled again by default.

Step 2: Use a Registry Edit to Set Word Wrap as Default

Since Notepad does not offer a built-in option to save word wrap as the default, you can modify the Windows Registry to achieve this. The registry stores many settings for Windows apps.

Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Follow the steps carefully and consider backing up the registry first.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes to continue.
4. Navigate to the following path using the folder tree on the left:
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftNotepad
5. Look for an entry named fWrap. This controls the word wrap setting.
6. If fWrap exists, double-click it and set the value data to 1. This enables word wrap by default.
7. If fWrap does not exist, create it by right-clicking on the right pane, selecting New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it fWrap, and set its value to 1.
8. Close the Registry Editor.
9. Restart Notepad to see the change take effect.

This step forces Notepad to start with word wrap enabled every time you open it.

Step 3: Save a Template File with Word Wrap Enabled

Another simple workaround is to create a Notepad file with word wrap enabled and save it as a template.

1. Open Notepad.
2. Enable word wrap by going to Format > Word Wrap.
3. Leave the file blank or add some placeholder text.
4. Save the file to a convenient location with a name like Template.txt.
5. When you want to create a new note, open this template file and immediately save it as a new file.

This method keeps word wrap enabled because it was saved in the file’s session state. However, it requires you to start from this template every time.

Alternative Method: Use Notepad++ or Other Editors

If you frequently need word wrap and other advanced features, you might consider switching to a free text editor like Notepad++.

Notepad++ allows you to set word wrap as the default easily and provides many additional helpful features for editing text.

FAQs

Why doesn’t Notepad remember word wrap settings by default?

Notepad is designed as a simple text editor with minimal settings saved between sessions. Word wrap is a session-based setting and isn’t stored permanently unless modified via the registry.

Is editing the registry safe for beginners?

Editing the registry can be risky if done incorrectly. Always back up the registry or create a system restore point before making changes.

Can I set word wrap as default in Notepad on Windows 10 as well?

Yes, the registry method works similarly on Windows 10 for enabling word wrap by default.

Does saving a file with word wrap enabled force all files to open with word wrap?

No, each file remembers its own state. Saving with word wrap enabled affects only that file.

Will Windows updates remove the registry changes?

Typically, registry changes persist through updates, but major Windows upgrades may reset some settings. Always verify after an update.

When Nothing Works

If the above methods do not solve your issue, consider the following:

• Run the Windows Troubleshooter for apps.
• Reset Notepad via Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, find Notepad, and choose Advanced options > Reset.
• Check the official Microsoft support pages for any recent fixes or changes.
• Use alternative text editors that support persistent word wrap by default.

Conclusion

Notepad in Windows 11 does not allow setting word wrap as default through its interface, but you can enable it permanently by editing the registry.

Creating a template file or switching to a more advanced editor like Notepad++ are also practical solutions depending on your needs.

By following the steps in this guide, you should be able to enjoy word wrap enabled every time you open Notepad, making text reading and editing much easier.