Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate the help.
We are in the middle of our busy season. My XP computers on stage will probably last through the rest of it, and then I'll resume searching. In retrospect it was probably foolish of me to even think about this during the height of the tourist season.
If worse comes to worse I could convert them all to .pdf files, but with 550+ songs, it's something I'd rather not spend the time on.
The default page orientation when firing up WordPad is tied to the settings of the default printer. I just checked here selecting 'Microsoft Print to PDF' as default printer and selected 'Landscape' in the printer settings.
Now WordPad opens up saved documents in landscape mode (Windows 10).
I tried that and as many times as I set the default to landscape, click "Apply" and/or "OK" it's stubborn and reverts back to portrait.
I went to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > set Microsoft Print to PDF as the default > Right Click > Select "Printing Preferences" > Choose "Landscape" in the drop down box > Click "Apply" > Click "OK" and it immediately reverts to portrait.
Instead of "Printing Preferences" I chose "Printer Properties" > "Preferences" > "Landscape" etc. same results.
I even tried "Change Properties" the "Do you want to allow..." dialog box comes up > "Yes" > "Preferences" > "Landscape" > Apply > "OK" and it immediately reverts to Portrait.
I did notice one thing that might be a clue. In the status bar at the bottom of the Devices And Printers dialog box, when complete, it says "Status: Setup incomplete because of a metered connection".
I have no idea what that means.
I have an early gig today, so that is the next mystery.
I tried the same thing with the Nitro PDF Creator that came with my ThinkPad, and it does the same thing.
If you start the Open Office interface, minimize it, and then use Windows Explorer to open a document file, it will open quickly and windowed exactly the way you saved it.
I think my computer guy put one of my computers on a metered connection and instructed me to to the same to the others.
This was in the Win 8 to Win 10 days. Microsoft was using Leilani's computer as a distribution source to other computers. Since we live too far away from the fiber optics, we can only get DSL light, so whenever Leilani's computer was on, our DSL connection slowed to a crawl (dial-up speed).
We have a St Patty's party every day of the week, s next week I'll do a fresh disk image and try those links.
Not sure whether metered connections are responsible for the recalcitrant behavior of your printer settings. I just set my system to 'metered connection' and tried this printer-settings-to-Landscape gymnastics. Worked flawlessly and WordPad opens documents in Landscape mode even with metered connection settings.
I did not see your reported warning "Status: Setup incomplete because of a metered connection", though. This might well be due to the fact, that I am on a DSL connection, which bypasses any mobile connection restriction, of course.
However, it sure appears somewhat unlikely, that this metered connection business should interfere with these printer settings at all. After all, printer settings may flawlessly get changed with any mobile or Wlan connection cut off.
If your printer settings keep being stubborn, this may be a case for a chat with some Microsoft Support guy - they have this Live Chat feature these days. Check it out.
One of my links was from Microsoft. They are aware of this setting affecting printers .. just saying. IT nerds run into every weird thing you can imagine.
Bob mentioning the error was a huge help (clue) in what was happening. Anyway, worth a shot.
From MS - "You might receive this message when you connect a device and it tries to connect to the Internet using a metered connection to check for new device software. To avoid unexpected data charges, your PC won't allow the device to automatically check for new software when you use a metered connection.
To always download device software on a metered connection:
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings > Change PC settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, choose Settings, and then select Change PC settings.) Select PC and devices. Select Devices, then make sure Download over metered connections is set to On.
Once you've finished downloading your devices updates, you can turn this setting off to avoid unexpected charges when you're on a metered network."
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
This is really weird. If I save in landscape mode it should open in landscape mode.
I can save a page in MS Publisher in landscape mode and it opens in landscape mode, but WordPad in Win10 will not.
I can save a page in Word as a doc in landscape and it will open as a landscape in Word or Libre Office but not WordPad (wordpad doesn't really like doc files as the formatting confuses it). So I saved it as .rtf, opened in WordPad and it opens in letter mode.
Hey Notes, did you get a chance to try Rharv's metered connection links? I'm still wondering if that could be part of the problem. At least to see if we can rule that one out.
WordPad was a Windows 95 replacement for Microsoft Write and was always just a barebones editor one step above Notepad, but allowing for a limited amount of rich text formatting. And the issues with opening DOC files are known by MS, in that they even dropped DOC support with Windows Vista.
I would agree that the problem is probably WordPad itself.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
I liked the bare-bones Notepad with fonts and the ability to paste an image and nothing more. It make a great full screen display, perfect for lyrics with perhaps a line or two of music pasted from a notation app.
I think the thing to do is find a replacement. My XP and 7 computers are still working fine so I'm OK on stage. I just need to be ready with a substitute for the eventuality that one fails.
You probably have no idea how many people for how many years have been trying to find the answer you have just given to the problem of Wordpad retaining its orientation settings when reopening a RTF document. It is probably the most neglected piece of information Microsoft have never had the heart to supply. I have read so many expressions of frustration over this little known if not UNKNOWN fact.... that the page orientation is connected with the printer page orientation setting.
Some who have received your tip have unfortunately gone about it the wrong way. Going through the control panel doesn't work.
The right way is to have a RTF page open in Wordpad and go to print... at that point adjust the page print orientation to landscape or the default of portrait. When you save the page and close it, on reopening it will open in the orientation you set in the printer setup.
I believe it has also saved my tab margin settings too.
Thank you Martin for contributing in writing, this simple solution to the preservation of sanity in this age of the Covid-19 Devil
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Norton Music
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean