Notepad uses UTF-8 BOM encoding by default. You can confirm that you are choosing "UTF-8" instead of "UTF-8-BOM" through the "Encoding" menu; 2. If the file contains BOM, you can select "Convert to UTF-8" to remove the BOM and save it; 3. To set the default encoding of the new file to UTF-8 BOM, you need to select UTF-8 encoding in "Settings → Preferences → New Document"; 4. To avoid problems such as sending errors in the PHP header, failure of JSON parsing, failure of script shebang, and confusion of Git differences; 5. To detect the BOM, you can check whether the first three bytes are EF BB BF through the encoding menu status or use the Hex-Editor plug-in. Therefore, Notepad fully supports UTF-8 BOM-free encoding, and this encoding is more secure and universal in cross-platform development. Just make sure that UTF-8-BOM is not misused.
Notepad by default saves files with UTF-8 without BOM (Byte Order Mark), which is actually the preferred encoding format in most modern development workflows (eg, web, scripting, version control). However, some applications or systems expect UTF-8 with BOM and may misinterpret files without it — especially on Windows.

But if you specifically want to work with UTF-8 without BOM (which is often ideal), here's how to properly handle it in Notepad :
? 1. Confirm You're Using UTF-8 Without BOM
To ensure your file is encoded as UTF-8 without BOM:

- Open the file in Notepad .
- Look at the top menu :
Encoding
. - Check that "UTF-8" is selected (not "UTF-8 BOM").
- If "Encode in UTF-8" is checked, you're using UTF-8 without BOM.
- If "Encode in UTF-8-BOM" is checked, it includes the BOM.
? Note : In Notepad , "UTF-8" = without BOM, "UTF-8-BOM" = with BOM.
? 2. Convert to UTF-8 Without BOM (If Needed)
If your file has BOM and you want to remove it:

- Go to
Encoding
>Convert to UTF-8
(this option removes BOM).- ?? Do not choose "Convert to UTF-8-BOM".
- Save the file (
Ctrl S
).
Now the file is UTF-8 without BOM.
? This is ideal for PHP, Python, JSON, Git repos, and cross-platform projects where BOM can cause issues (eg, PHP headers already sent errors).
? 3. Set UTF-8 Without BOM as Default for New Files
To make sure new files use UTF-8 without BOM:
- Go to
Settings
>Preferences
>New Document
. - Under Encoding , select
UTF-8
(this means without BOM). - Uncheck “Apply to current opened files” unless needed.
- Click Close.
Now all new files will be UTF-8 without BOM by default.
? 4. Why Avoid BOM? Common Issues
Although BOM helps some Windows programs detect encoding, it causes problems:
- PHP : BOM can trigger "headers already sent" errors.
- JSON : BOM can break parsing (eg, in web APIs).
- Unix/Linux scripts : BOM may interfere with shebangs (
#!/bin/bash
). - Git : BOM shows up as invisible changes, confusing diffs.
? So, UTF-8 without BOM is usually safer and more portable .
? 5. How to Detect BOM Presence
Notepad doesn't show BOM obviously, but you can detect it:
- Check
Encoding
menu:- If "UTF-8" is selected → no BOM.
- If "UTF-8-BOM" is selected → has BOM.
- Or use a hex editor plugin (like Hex-Editor from Plugin Manager) to see the first 3 bytes:
EF BB BF
= BOM.
Summary
Goal | Action in Notepad |
---|---|
Use UTF-8 without BOM | Encoding → UTF-8
|
Convert file to UTF-8 no BOM | Encoding → Convert to UTF-8
|
Default for new files | Settings → Preferences → New Document → UTF-8 |
Avoid common encoding issues | Stick with UTF-8 (no BOM) |
Basically, Notepad handles UTF-8 without BOM just fine — and it's often the better choice. Just make sure you're not accidentally using UTF-8-BOM when you don't need it.
The above is the detailed content of How to handle UTF-8 without BOM in Notepad. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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