Hi Leo, Thank you for your answer, but there are a couple of issues that still keep me looking for a solution. First Wordpad is on every server. Second if I do use Wordpad on my desktop computer, Word is the default application for .RTF files so creating a template.rtf doesn't resolve that. Wordpad beats Word in some ways as it opens quickly and is great for viewing and editing XML files. It also creates smaller documents when pasting screenshots and text. Word 2010 does do a much better job in keeping files small than previous versions of Word. On my Desktop computer, I use Wordpad for 2 things. First I keep a shortcut to it on the desktop and drag files to the shortcut to open them in Wordpad. Secondly I open it to paste information from websites or event logs when I want to have a quick printed reference or save a document with a couple of URLs and Pictures. Since you are with Microsoft and you say WordPad was designed so that the default font and spacing could not be changed then I will mark your answer as the answer. It does seem odd that you are given the option to change the font and paragraph spacing once the document is open but not the default options; obviously the ability is there. Regards, Dave

I would like to have Wordpad in Windows 7 start with a different font, font size and without the additional "10 point space after paragraph" setting. I have read of the work-arounds were you create a template file and use that but I would prefer a Microsoft fix. This has been an issue since the RC. Is there a Reg Key or settings file I can manipulate? thank you McCue

Hi, WordPad is different with Microsoft Office Word. There is not configuration to set default font and size. That’s a by design with WordPad. You can use Microsoft Word instead of WordPad which can set default font. Furthermore, there’s a same link which provide an option you can try: http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f217/how-do-you-change-the-default-settings-on-wordpad-518819.html Please Note: Since the website is not hosted by Microsoft, the link may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information. Thank you for your understanding. Regards, Leo Huang TechNet Subscriber Support in forum. If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.comPlease remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

Hi, Since this is by design instruction, and if you have any suggestion of that, you can also contact https://connect.microsoft.com/ to submit your suggestion. In addition, I will mark my reply as an answer, it will help other communities here who have the same issue. Thank you for your understanding. Regards, Leo Huang TechNet Subscriber Support in forum. If you have any feedback on our support, please contact tngfb@microsoft.com Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.