After using Microsoft Word for several projects, you may notice some deterioration in the way the program runs compared to when you first installed it. The default settings of some features, such as fonts, toolbar position or autocorrect options, may have changed after clicking on the wrong control or after making accidental changes. In this case, uninstalling and reinstalling the program will not be able to solve the problem, as the configuration settings are stored on the computer. This article explains how to restore the original configuration of Microsoft Word and its graphical interface on both Windows and macOS.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Close Microsoft Word
If the application is running, you will not be able to restore.
This method involves editing the Windows registry, so this is something you should do with great care. Before proceeding it is certainly useful to make a backup, so that you can restore it in case something does not go the right way
Step 2. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + E
The "File Explorer" dialog will be displayed. Alternatively, you can access the same system window directly from the Windows "Start" menu.
Step 3. Configure the "File Explorer" window so that hidden system files and folders are visible
This step is necessary to make the folder you will need to change visible:
- Click on the tab View located at the top of the "File Explorer" window;
- Click on the button Options, located in the upper right corner of the window;
- Click on the tab Visualization of the appeared window;
- Select the button View hidden folders, files and drives located in the "Hidden files and folders" section, then click on the button OK.
Step 4. Navigate to the "Users" system folder using the "File Explorer" window
Click on the address bar of the "File Explorer" window, type the address C: / Users / and press the key Enter.
If Windows was installed on another drive on your computer, you will need to replace the letter "C" with the letter that identifies that memory drive
Step 5. Go to the Microsoft "Templates" folder
Follow these instructions:
- Double-click on the folder related to your username displayed in the right pane of the window;
- Double-click the folder AppData (normally, this directory is hidden);
- Double-click the folder Roaming;
- Double-click the folder Microsoft;
- Double-click the folder Templates.
Step 6. Rename the "Normal.dotm" file to Normal.old
This is the file that contains many of Word's configuration settings. By renaming it, the program will be forced to create a new file using the factory default configuration settings. Follow these instructions to rename a file:
- Click on the file Normal.dotm with the right mouse button and choose the option Rename;
- Delete the.dotm extension from the file name and replace it with the new.old extension;
- Press the button Enter keyboard;
- Now that you have completed your work within the "File Explorer" system window, it is best to return to normal viewing mode. Click on the tab View, click on the button Options, click on the tab Visualization and select the "Do not show hidden folders, files and drives" button.
Step 7. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + R
The "Run" system window will appear which you will need to access the Windows registry and perform the latest changes.
Step 8. Type the regedit command and click the OK button
The Registry Editor window will appear.
You may need to click the "Yes" button when prompted to access the Windows registry
Step 9. Double-click the HKEY_CURRENT_USER key
It is listed in the left pane of the Windows registry window. A series of new folders will appear.
Step 10. Double click on the SOFTWARE entry
It is one of the new options contained within the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" folder. A new set of registry keys will appear.
Step 11. Double-click the Microsoft folder
It is listed in the left pane of the window. The set of items it contains will be displayed.
Step 12. Double-click the Office folder
You will have access to the relevant list of keys.
Step 13. Double-click the folder corresponding to the version of Word installed on your computer
The key you will need to select depends on the version of Word you are using. Follow these guidelines:
- Word 365, Word 2019 and Word 2016 - double-click the folder 16.0.
- Word 2013 - double-click the folder 15.0.
- Word 2010 - double-click the folder 14.0.
- Word 2007 - double-click the folder 12.0.
- Word 2003 - double-click the folder 11.0.
Step 14. Click once on the Word folder
In this case you will not have to open it, but simply select it with a single mouse click.
Step 15. Press the Delete key on your keyboard
You will be asked to confirm your action by clicking on the button Yup.
At this point the work is complete; you can close the Windows Registry Editor window and the "File Explorer" window, and then restart Microsoft Word. The program is now in the same state it was in when it was first installed
Method 2 of 2: macOS
Step 1. Close Microsoft Word and any other Office applications that are running
In this case, you will have to move some files and you will not be able to do so if the Office applications are running.
This method should work for all most modern versions of Word for macOS, including Word 2016, Word 2019, and Word 365
Step 2. Open a Finder window by clicking on the icon
It features a blue and white smiley face. It is located along the left side of the System Dock.
Step 3. Press and hold the ⌥ Option key as you click on the menu Go.
It is listed at the top of the window. A drop-down menu will appear in which there will be the "Library" item which is not normally present in the "Go" menu, if the "Option" key is not pressed.
Step 4. Click on the Library menu option
A list of files will be displayed.
Step 5. Double-click the Group Containers folder
It is one of the directories listed inside the "Library" folder. Another group of files and folders will be displayed.
Step 6. Double-click the UBF8T346G9. Office folder
The set of files and folders contained in the indicated directory will be displayed.
Step 7. Double-click the User Content folder
You have almost reached the folder that contains the file to edit.
Step 8. Now double click on the Templates folder
This is the directory that contains the file where Word settings are stored.
Step 9. Rename the normal.dotm file
Follow these instructions:
- Click on the file normal.dotm once to select it;
- Press the button Enter keyboard;
- Delete the ".dotm" extension and replace it with the new.old extension;
- Press the button Enter to save the new file name which is now normal.old.
Step 10. Close the Finder window and start Microsoft Word
At this point, the program will automatically create a new normal.dotm file in which the default Word configuration settings will be stored.
Advice
- You understand that making the changes indicated in the article will still remain some settings that can only be changed by performing a new installation. For example, the company name you entered when you first installed Word will remain unchanged and will be stored in the program file.
- Remember that Microsoft Word cannot be repaired while the program is running: when Word is running, it saves information about any configuration changes to disk, then as soon as you close the program after performing the recovery, the Factory defaults you just restored will be overwritten by the ones you are using.
- You can find additional information and advice at this URL https://support.microsoft.com/kb/822005 (Windows version)
