Kevin Murphy <murphy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes: > Here's a condensed example, in which template1 is recreated to change > its default encoding: If you're willing to fool around at that level, why not just "UPDATE pg_database SET datencoding = ..." The restriction against dropping template databases is specifically intended to make it difficult for those who don't know what they are doing to shoot themselves in the foot. So I'm disinclined to make the manual include easy-to-follow directions for bypassing the safety interlock --- if you can't be bothered to find out how, you shouldn't be doing it. regards, tom lane