diff --git a/source/config/configSpec.py b/source/config/configSpec.py
index 651ca1aecd3..bba71c8a372 100644
--- a/source/config/configSpec.py
+++ b/source/config/configSpec.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
 	# symbolLevel: One of the characterProcessing.SymbolLevel values.
 	symbolLevel = integer(default=100)
 	trustVoiceLanguage = boolean(default=true)
-	unicodeNormalization = featureFlag(optionsEnum="BoolFlag", behaviorOfDefault="disabled")
+	unicodeNormalization = featureFlag(optionsEnum="BoolFlag", behaviorOfDefault="enabled")
 	reportNormalizedForCharacterNavigation = boolean(default=true)
 	# Deprecated in 2025.1
 	includeCLDR = boolean(default=True)
diff --git a/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-doShowWelcomeDialog.ini b/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-doShowWelcomeDialog.ini
index 480c34e2cb6..a0b21246117 100644
--- a/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-doShowWelcomeDialog.ini
+++ b/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-doShowWelcomeDialog.ini
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ schemaVersion = 2
 	allowUsageStats = False
 [speech]
 	synth = speechSpySynthDriver
+	unicodeNormalization = DISABLED
 [development]
 	enableScratchpadDir = True
 [virtualBuffers]
diff --git a/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-dontShowExitDialog.ini b/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-dontShowExitDialog.ini
index 67973f4743f..04b3cb6bbd6 100644
--- a/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-dontShowExitDialog.ini
+++ b/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-dontShowExitDialog.ini
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ schemaVersion = 2
 	allowUsageStats = False
 [speech]
 	synth = speechSpySynthDriver
+	unicodeNormalization = DISABLED
 [development]
 	enableScratchpadDir = True
 [virtualBuffers]
diff --git a/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-dontShowWelcomeDialog.ini b/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-dontShowWelcomeDialog.ini
index d8efefe2885..c259ecf3a89 100644
--- a/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-dontShowWelcomeDialog.ini
+++ b/tests/system/nvdaSettingsFiles/standard-dontShowWelcomeDialog.ini
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ schemaVersion = 2
 	allowUsageStats = False
 [speech]
 	synth = speechSpySynthDriver
+	unicodeNormalization = DISABLED
 [development]
 	enableScratchpadDir = True
 [virtualBuffers]
diff --git a/user_docs/en/changes.md b/user_docs/en/changes.md
index 2d3f8cc8145..03c0dbfb70a 100644
--- a/user_docs/en/changes.md
+++ b/user_docs/en/changes.md
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 ### Important notes
 
 ### New Features
+
 * The volume of other applications can be adjusted by `NVDA+alt+pageUp` and `NVDA+alt+pageDown`. In order to use this feature, application volume adjuster needs to be enabled in Audio pane of NVDA settings. (#16052, @mltony)
 * Added command to mute or unmute all other applications, assigned to `NVDA+alt+delete`.
 In order to use this feature, the application volume adjuster needs to be enabled in the Audio category of NVDA settings. (#16052, @mltony)
@@ -18,6 +19,8 @@ In order to use this feature, the application volume adjuster needs to be enable
 
 * The Report link destination, Character formatting information, and Speak selection dialogs, now include "Close" and "Copy" buttons for user convenience. (#17018, @XLTechie)
 * The exit dialog now allows you to restart NVDA with add-ons disabled and debug logging enabled simultaneously. (#11538, @CyrilleB79)r
+* Unicode Normalization is now enabled by default for speech output. (#17017, @LeonarddeR).
+  * You can still disable this functionality in the Speech category of the NVDA Settings dialog.
 
 ### Bug Fixes
 
diff --git a/user_docs/en/userGuide.md b/user_docs/en/userGuide.md
index eca0d0a3c80..d018475a2f3 100644
--- a/user_docs/en/userGuide.md
+++ b/user_docs/en/userGuide.md
@@ -1914,8 +1914,8 @@ If you find that NVDA is reading punctuation in the wrong language for a particu
 ##### Unicode normalization {#SpeechUnicodeNormalization}
 | . {.hideHeaderRow} |.|
 |---|---|
-|Options |Default (Disabled), Enabled, Disabled|
-|Default |Disabled|
+|Options |Default (Enabled), Enabled, Disabled|
+|Default |Enabled|
 
 When this option is enabled, unicode normalization is performed on the text that is spoken by NVDA.
 This is beneficial when speaking characters that can be represented in several forms.