diff --git a/docs/changes.txt b/docs/changes.txt
index 4d57524fd9..7fd8d7de54 100644
--- a/docs/changes.txt
+++ b/docs/changes.txt
@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ Changes in behaviour not resulting in compilation errors
 - Using invalid flags with wxBoxSizer or wxGridSizer items now triggers asserts
   when done from the code or error messages when done in XRC.
 
+- wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY is now the default behaviour, i.e. calling
+  Validate() or TransferData{From,To}Window() will now also call the same
+  function for all children.
+
 - wxOSX/Carbon port doesn't exist any more, wxOSX/Cocoa will be silently used
   instead even if configure --with-osx_carbon option is used.
 
diff --git a/docs/doxygen/overviews/validator.h b/docs/doxygen/overviews/validator.h
index cf2b843898..580602615d 100644
--- a/docs/doxygen/overviews/validator.h
+++ b/docs/doxygen/overviews/validator.h
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ The second type of validation is performed when the dialog is about to be dismis
 so if the default string contained invalid characters already, a dialog box is shown
 giving the error, and the dialog is not dismissed.
 
-Note that any wxWindow may have a validator; using the @c wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY
-style (see wxWindow extended styles) you can also implement recursive validation.
+Note that any wxWindow may have a validator and it will be used when
+transferring data to or from the parent window.
 
 @see wxValidator, wxTextValidator, wxGenericValidator, wxIntegerValidator,
      wxFloatingPointValidator
diff --git a/include/wx/defs.h b/include/wx/defs.h
index 5049fa30df..d63daf8e86 100644
--- a/include/wx/defs.h
+++ b/include/wx/defs.h
@@ -1872,10 +1872,9 @@ enum wxBorder
  * should be passed to wxWindow::SetExtraStyle(), not SetWindowStyle())
  */
 
-/*  by default, TransferDataTo/FromWindow() only work on direct children of the */
-/*  window (compatible behaviour), set this flag to make them recursively */
-/*  descend into all subwindows */
-#define wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY    0x00000001
+/* This flag is obsolete as recursive validation is now the default (and only
+ * possible) behaviour. Simply don't use it any more in the new code. */
+#define wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY    0x00000000 /* used to be 1 */
 
 /*  wxCommandEvents and the objects of the derived classes are forwarded to the */
 /*  parent window and so on recursively by default. Using this flag for the */
diff --git a/include/wx/generic/textdlgg.h b/include/wx/generic/textdlgg.h
index 8743bd7936..a3749844fd 100644
--- a/include/wx/generic/textdlgg.h
+++ b/include/wx/generic/textdlgg.h
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ class WXDLLIMPEXP_FWD_CORE wxTextCtrl;
 extern WXDLLIMPEXP_DATA_CORE(const char) wxGetTextFromUserPromptStr[];
 extern WXDLLIMPEXP_DATA_CORE(const char) wxGetPasswordFromUserPromptStr[];
 
-#define wxTextEntryDialogStyle (wxOK | wxCANCEL | wxCENTRE | wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY)
+#define wxTextEntryDialogStyle (wxOK | wxCANCEL | wxCENTRE)
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // wxTextEntryDialog: a dialog with text control, [ok] and [cancel] buttons
diff --git a/interface/wx/defs.h b/interface/wx/defs.h
index baf0dd7b7c..bf693f68e9 100644
--- a/interface/wx/defs.h
+++ b/interface/wx/defs.h
@@ -290,11 +290,6 @@ enum wxBorder
  * should be passed to wxWindow::SetExtraStyle(), not SetWindowStyle())
  */
 
-/*  by default, TransferDataTo/FromWindow() only work on direct children of the */
-/*  window (compatible behaviour), set this flag to make them recursively */
-/*  descend into all subwindows */
-#define wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY    0x00000001
-
 /*  wxCommandEvents and the objects of the derived classes are forwarded to the */
 /*  parent window and so on recursively by default. Using this flag for the */
 /*  given window allows to block this propagation at this window, i.e. prevent */
diff --git a/interface/wx/textdlg.h b/interface/wx/textdlg.h
index 911ffbf9c3..dc0283dcaf 100644
--- a/interface/wx/textdlg.h
+++ b/interface/wx/textdlg.h
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 /**
     Default text dialog style.
 */
-#define wxTextEntryDialogStyle (wxOK | wxCANCEL | wxCENTRE | wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY)
+#define wxTextEntryDialogStyle (wxOK | wxCANCEL | wxCENTRE)
 
 /// Default text dialog caption.
 const char wxGetTextFromUserPromptStr[] = "Input Text";
diff --git a/interface/wx/window.h b/interface/wx/window.h
index 9037d3dc3d..5c145e7464 100644
--- a/interface/wx/window.h
+++ b/interface/wx/window.h
@@ -190,11 +190,6 @@ enum wxWindowVariant
     @endStyleTable
 
     @beginExtraStyleTable
-    @style{wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY}
-           By default, wxWindow::Validate(), wxWindow::TransferDataTo() and
-           wxWindow::TransferDataFromWindow() only work on
-           direct children of the window (compatible behaviour).
-           Set this flag to make them recursively descend into all subwindows.
     @style{wxWS_EX_BLOCK_EVENTS}
            wxCommandEvents and the objects of the derived classes are
            forwarded to the parent window and so on recursively by default.
@@ -2936,8 +2931,8 @@ public:
         Transfers values from child controls to data areas specified by their
         validators. Returns @false if a transfer failed.
 
-        If the window has @c wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY extra style flag set,
-        the method will also call TransferDataFromWindow() of all child windows.
+        Notice that this also calls TransferDataFromWindow() for all children
+        recursively.
 
         @see TransferDataToWindow(), wxValidator, Validate()
     */
@@ -2947,8 +2942,8 @@ public:
         Transfers values to child controls from data areas specified by their
         validators.
 
-        If the window has @c wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY extra style flag set,
-        the method will also call TransferDataToWindow() of all child windows.
+        Notice that this also calls TransferDataToWindow() for all children
+        recursively.
 
         @return Returns @false if a transfer failed.
 
@@ -2958,8 +2953,8 @@ public:
 
     /**
         Validates the current values of the child controls using their validators.
-        If the window has @c wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY extra style flag set,
-        the method will also call Validate() of all child windows.
+
+        Notice that this also calls Validate() for all children recursively.
 
         @return Returns @false if any of the validations failed.
 
diff --git a/samples/dialogs/dialogs.cpp b/samples/dialogs/dialogs.cpp
index 5f20670fd6..5ee454bb09 100644
--- a/samples/dialogs/dialogs.cpp
+++ b/samples/dialogs/dialogs.cpp
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@
 
 #include "wx/spinctrl.h"
 #include "wx/propdlg.h"
+#include "wx/valgen.h"
 
 #include "dialogs.h"
 
@@ -1885,7 +1886,7 @@ void MyFrame::ShowTip(wxCommandEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
 #if USE_SETTINGS_DIALOG
 void MyFrame::OnPropertySheet(wxCommandEvent& event)
 {
-    SettingsDialog dialog(this, event.GetId());
+    SettingsDialog dialog(this, m_settingsData, event.GetId());
     dialog.ShowModal();
 }
 #endif // USE_SETTINGS_DIALOG
@@ -2960,9 +2961,10 @@ wxIMPLEMENT_CLASS(SettingsDialog, wxPropertySheetDialog);
 wxBEGIN_EVENT_TABLE(SettingsDialog, wxPropertySheetDialog)
 wxEND_EVENT_TABLE()
 
-SettingsDialog::SettingsDialog(wxWindow* win, int dialogType)
+SettingsDialog::SettingsDialog(wxWindow* win, SettingsData& settingsData, int dialogType)
+    : m_settingsData(settingsData)
 {
-    SetExtraStyle(wxDIALOG_EX_CONTEXTHELP|wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY);
+    SetExtraStyle(wxDIALOG_EX_CONTEXTHELP);
 
     int tabImage1 = -1;
     int tabImage2 = -1;
@@ -3040,6 +3042,7 @@ wxPanel* SettingsDialog::CreateGeneralSettingsPage(wxWindow* parent)
 
     wxBoxSizer* itemSizer3 = new wxBoxSizer( wxHORIZONTAL );
     wxCheckBox* checkBox3 = new wxCheckBox(panel, ID_LOAD_LAST_PROJECT, _("&Load last project on startup"), wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize);
+    checkBox3->SetValidator(wxGenericValidator(&m_settingsData.m_loadLastOnStartup));
     itemSizer3->Add(checkBox3, 0, wxALL|wxALIGN_CENTER_VERTICAL, 5);
     item0->Add(itemSizer3, 0, wxGROW|wxALL, 0);
 
@@ -3054,6 +3057,7 @@ wxPanel* SettingsDialog::CreateGeneralSettingsPage(wxWindow* parent)
 #if wxUSE_SPINCTRL
     wxSpinCtrl* spinCtrl12 = new wxSpinCtrl(panel, ID_AUTO_SAVE_MINS, wxEmptyString,
         wxDefaultPosition, wxSize(40, wxDefaultCoord), wxSP_ARROW_KEYS, 1, 60, 1);
+    spinCtrl12->SetValidator(wxGenericValidator(&m_settingsData.m_autoSaveInterval));
 #endif
 
     itemSizer12->Add(checkBox12, 0, wxALL|wxALIGN_CENTER_VERTICAL, 5);
@@ -3067,6 +3071,7 @@ wxPanel* SettingsDialog::CreateGeneralSettingsPage(wxWindow* parent)
 
     wxBoxSizer* itemSizer8 = new wxBoxSizer( wxHORIZONTAL );
     wxCheckBox* checkBox6 = new wxCheckBox(panel, ID_SHOW_TOOLTIPS, _("Show &tooltips"), wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize);
+    checkBox6->SetValidator(wxGenericValidator(&m_settingsData.m_showToolTips));
     itemSizer8->Add(checkBox6, 0, wxALL|wxALIGN_CENTER_VERTICAL, 5);
     item0->Add(itemSizer8, 0, wxGROW|wxALL, 0);
 
@@ -3091,6 +3096,7 @@ wxPanel* SettingsDialog::CreateAestheticSettingsPage(wxWindow* parent)
 
     wxRadioBox* projectOrGlobal = new wxRadioBox(panel, ID_APPLY_SETTINGS_TO, _("&Apply settings to:"),
         wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize, 2, globalOrProjectChoices);
+    projectOrGlobal->SetValidator(wxGenericValidator(&m_settingsData.m_applyTo));
     item0->Add(projectOrGlobal, 0, wxGROW|wxALL, 5);
 
     projectOrGlobal->SetSelection(0);
@@ -3107,6 +3113,7 @@ wxPanel* SettingsDialog::CreateAestheticSettingsPage(wxWindow* parent)
     wxBoxSizer* itemSizer2 = new wxBoxSizer( wxHORIZONTAL );
 
     wxChoice* choice2 = new wxChoice(panel, ID_BACKGROUND_STYLE, wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize, backgroundStyleChoices);
+    choice2->SetValidator(wxGenericValidator(&m_settingsData.m_bgStyle));
 
     itemSizer2->Add(new wxStaticText(panel, wxID_ANY, _("&Window:")), 0, wxALL|wxALIGN_CENTER_VERTICAL, 5);
     itemSizer2->Add(5, 5, 1, wxALL, 0);
@@ -3122,6 +3129,7 @@ wxPanel* SettingsDialog::CreateAestheticSettingsPage(wxWindow* parent)
 
     wxSpinCtrl* spinCtrl = new wxSpinCtrl(panel, ID_FONT_SIZE, wxEmptyString, wxDefaultPosition,
         wxSize(80, wxDefaultCoord));
+    spinCtrl->SetValidator(wxGenericValidator(&m_settingsData.m_titleFontSize));
     itemSizer5->Add(spinCtrl, 0, wxALL|wxALIGN_CENTER_HORIZONTAL|wxALIGN_CENTER_VERTICAL, 5);
 
     item0->Add(itemSizer5, 0, wxGROW|wxLEFT|wxRIGHT, 5);
diff --git a/samples/dialogs/dialogs.h b/samples/dialogs/dialogs.h
index f3428bf56c..c3f8b4cfda 100644
--- a/samples/dialogs/dialogs.h
+++ b/samples/dialogs/dialogs.h
@@ -301,12 +301,34 @@ private:
 
 
 #if USE_SETTINGS_DIALOG
+
+// Struct containing properties edited by SettingsDialog.
+struct SettingsData
+{
+    SettingsData() :
+        m_loadLastOnStartup(false),
+        m_autoSaveInterval(1),
+        m_showToolTips(false),
+        m_applyTo(0),
+        m_bgStyle(0),
+        m_titleFontSize(10)
+    {
+    }
+
+    bool m_loadLastOnStartup;
+    int m_autoSaveInterval;
+    bool m_showToolTips;
+    int m_applyTo;
+    int m_bgStyle;
+    int m_titleFontSize;
+};
+
 // Property sheet dialog
 class SettingsDialog: public wxPropertySheetDialog
 {
     wxDECLARE_CLASS(SettingsDialog);
 public:
-    SettingsDialog(wxWindow* parent, int dialogType);
+    SettingsDialog(wxWindow* parent, SettingsData& settingsData, int dialogType);
     ~SettingsDialog();
 
     wxPanel* CreateGeneralSettingsPage(wxWindow* parent);
@@ -327,6 +349,8 @@ protected:
 
     wxImageList*    m_imageList;
 
+    SettingsData& m_settingsData;
+
     wxDECLARE_EVENT_TABLE();
 };
 
@@ -509,6 +533,10 @@ private:
               *m_infoBarAdvanced;
 #endif // wxUSE_INFOBAR
 
+#if USE_SETTINGS_DIALOG
+    SettingsData m_settingsData;
+#endif // USE_SETTINGS_DIALOG
+
     wxDECLARE_EVENT_TABLE();
 };
 
diff --git a/src/common/dlgcmn.cpp b/src/common/dlgcmn.cpp
index 3d97fbb64a..5067471b11 100644
--- a/src/common/dlgcmn.cpp
+++ b/src/common/dlgcmn.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,6 @@ wxFLAGS_MEMBER(wxTAB_TRAVERSAL)
 wxFLAGS_MEMBER(wxCLIP_CHILDREN)
 
 // dialog styles
-wxFLAGS_MEMBER(wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY)
 wxFLAGS_MEMBER(wxSTAY_ON_TOP)
 wxFLAGS_MEMBER(wxCAPTION)
 wxFLAGS_MEMBER(wxSYSTEM_MENU)
diff --git a/src/common/wincmn.cpp b/src/common/wincmn.cpp
index 4f2a0b3d29..d9f52733c7 100644
--- a/src/common/wincmn.cpp
+++ b/src/common/wincmn.cpp
@@ -422,14 +422,6 @@ bool wxWindowBase::CreateBase(wxWindowBase *parent,
     SetValidator(validator);
 #endif // wxUSE_VALIDATORS
 
-    // if the parent window has wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY set, we want to
-    // have it too - like this it's possible to set it only in the top level
-    // dialog/frame and all children will inherit it by defult
-    if ( parent && (parent->GetExtraStyle() & wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY) )
-    {
-        SetExtraStyle(GetExtraStyle() | wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY);
-    }
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -2036,12 +2028,9 @@ public:
     }
 
     // Traverse all the direct children calling OnDo() on them and also all
-    // grandchildren if wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY is used, calling
-    // OnRecurse() for them.
+    // grandchildren, calling OnRecurse() for them.
     bool DoForAllChildren()
     {
-        const bool recurse = m_win->HasExtraStyle(wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY);
-
         wxWindowList& children = m_win->GetChildren();
         for ( wxWindowList::iterator i = children.begin();
               i != children.end();
@@ -2057,7 +2046,7 @@ public:
             // Notice that validation should never recurse into top level
             // children, e.g. some other dialog which might happen to be
             // currently shown.
-            if ( recurse && !child->IsTopLevel() && !OnRecurse(child) )
+            if ( !child->IsTopLevel() && !OnRecurse(child) )
             {
                 return false;
             }
diff --git a/src/generic/preferencesg.cpp b/src/generic/preferencesg.cpp
index c75ac4caa7..fc6fc0cc34 100644
--- a/src/generic/preferencesg.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/preferencesg.cpp
@@ -48,8 +48,6 @@ public:
                    wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize,
                    wxDEFAULT_FRAME_STYLE & ~(wxRESIZE_BORDER | wxMAXIMIZE_BOX | wxMINIMIZE_BOX))
     {
-        SetExtraStyle(wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY);
-
         wxSizer *sizer = new wxBoxSizer(wxVERTICAL);
 
         m_notebook = new wxNotebook(this, wxID_ANY, wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize, wxNB_MULTILINE);
diff --git a/src/osx/cocoa/preferences.mm b/src/osx/cocoa/preferences.mm
index 534da38010..2590bd24df 100644
--- a/src/osx/cocoa/preferences.mm
+++ b/src/osx/cocoa/preferences.mm
@@ -62,12 +62,6 @@ public:
           m_toolbarRealized(false),
           m_visiblePage(NULL)
     {
-        // For consistency with the generic version, transfer data recursively:
-        // this ensures that all controls, even deep inside our pages, get
-        // correct values from their validators initially and transfer them
-        // back at the end.
-        SetExtraStyle(wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY);
-
         m_toolbar = new wxToolBar(this, wxID_ANY, wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize,
                                   wxTB_FLAT | wxTB_TEXT);
         m_toolbar->SetToolBitmapSize(wxSize(32,32));
diff --git a/src/richtext/richtextbackgroundpage.cpp b/src/richtext/richtextbackgroundpage.cpp
index 6acf9f3b8b..b39b99d631 100644
--- a/src/richtext/richtextbackgroundpage.cpp
+++ b/src/richtext/richtextbackgroundpage.cpp
@@ -74,7 +74,6 @@ wxRichTextBackgroundPage::wxRichTextBackgroundPage( wxWindow* parent, wxWindowID
 bool wxRichTextBackgroundPage::Create( wxWindow* parent, wxWindowID id, const wxPoint& pos, const wxSize& size, long style )
 {
 ////@begin wxRichTextBackgroundPage creation
-    SetExtraStyle(wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY);
     wxRichTextDialogPage::Create( parent, id, pos, size, style );
 
     CreateControls();
diff --git a/src/richtext/richtextborderspage.cpp b/src/richtext/richtextborderspage.cpp
index 0d56833f9e..3e05476c05 100644
--- a/src/richtext/richtextborderspage.cpp
+++ b/src/richtext/richtextborderspage.cpp
@@ -122,7 +122,6 @@ wxRichTextBordersPage::wxRichTextBordersPage( wxWindow* parent, wxWindowID id, c
 bool wxRichTextBordersPage::Create( wxWindow* parent, wxWindowID id, const wxPoint& pos, const wxSize& size, long style )
 {
 ////@begin wxRichTextBordersPage creation
-    SetExtraStyle(wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY);
     wxRichTextDialogPage::Create( parent, id, pos, size, style );
 
     CreateControls();
@@ -221,7 +220,6 @@ void wxRichTextBordersPage::CreateControls()
     wxNotebook* itemNotebook4 = new wxNotebook( itemRichTextDialogPage1, ID_RICHTEXTBORDERSPAGE_NOTEBOOK, wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize, wxBK_DEFAULT );
 
     wxPanel* itemPanel5 = new wxPanel( itemNotebook4, ID_RICHTEXTBORDERSPAGE_BORDERS, wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize, wxTAB_TRAVERSAL );
-    itemPanel5->SetExtraStyle(wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY);
     wxBoxSizer* itemBoxSizer6 = new wxBoxSizer(wxVERTICAL);
     itemPanel5->SetSizer(itemBoxSizer6);
 
@@ -390,7 +388,6 @@ void wxRichTextBordersPage::CreateControls()
     itemNotebook4->AddPage(itemPanel5, _("Border"));
 
     wxPanel* itemPanel48 = new wxPanel( itemNotebook4, ID_RICHTEXTBORDERSPAGE_OUTLINE, wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize, wxNO_BORDER|wxTAB_TRAVERSAL );
-    itemPanel48->SetExtraStyle(wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY);
     wxBoxSizer* itemBoxSizer49 = new wxBoxSizer(wxVERTICAL);
     itemPanel48->SetSizer(itemBoxSizer49);
 
diff --git a/src/richtext/richtextformatdlg.cpp b/src/richtext/richtextformatdlg.cpp
index b6733d6d34..30017cf012 100644
--- a/src/richtext/richtextformatdlg.cpp
+++ b/src/richtext/richtextformatdlg.cpp
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ wxRichTextFormattingDialog::~wxRichTextFormattingDialog()
 bool wxRichTextFormattingDialog::Create(long flags, wxWindow* parent, const wxString& title, wxWindowID id,
         const wxPoint& pos, const wxSize& sz, long style)
 {
-    SetExtraStyle(wxDIALOG_EX_CONTEXTHELP|wxWS_EX_VALIDATE_RECURSIVELY|wxWS_EX_BLOCK_EVENTS);
+    SetExtraStyle(wxDIALOG_EX_CONTEXTHELP|wxWS_EX_BLOCK_EVENTS);
 #ifdef __WXMAC__
     SetWindowVariant(wxWINDOW_VARIANT_SMALL);
 #endif