replace - Keep Notepad++ from automatically populating the search value with selected/adjacent text -

in notepad++, when search -> find, automatically populates "find what:" field according behavior below (per online documentation - emphasis mine)...

in find field, type text want find. this automatically filled current selected text, or word under caret, or last searched pattern, when find dialog opened.

is there way change or disable behavior? prefer come empty. don't mind last searched pattern reasonable default, drives me nuts when keeps changing search value automatically selecting word next cursor.

i've done quite bit of digging (settings, help, web searches, etc.) , can't find way turn off.

there no standard option can achieve by:

1. the harder way: download n++ sources , make own n++ build desired modification

2. the easier way: using autohotkey tool, capture ctrl+f shortcut (with condition if n++ window active, see #ifwinactive directive ) when pressed, send keys ctrl+f, backspace. similar ctrl+h (replace)

the ahk macros work me are:

settitlematchmode, regex  ;--------------------------------- hotkeys notepad++ #ifwinactive ahk_class notepad\+\+  ; present 'find' dialog empty field ^f::send ^f{backspace}    ; present 'replace' dialog empty field ^h::send ^h{backspace}    ; example: close document either ^f4 or ^w ^f4::send ^w  #ifwinactive 

for details regarding autohotkey macro setup, please check steps 1-5 in answer.