How to reset Word to default setting

How to reset Word to default setting: If errors occur in the application when using the Microsoft Word text editor, the user has a question about how to reset Word to the default settings. This method will solve many of the problems that have arisen.

Setting Word to default helps you get rid of problems caused by changing the program’s configuration. Many users change the default Word settings on their own. There is another option when third-party programs apply modifications, for example, by adding plugins, macros, or other add-ons to Word.

Content:

1. How to Reset Word setting – 1 Method
2. How to reset Word to default settings – method 2
3. How to reset Word to default using the registry editor – method 3
4. Article Conclusions

As a result, due to the changed parameters, Word began to work not at all as the user would like. In many cases, it is not possible to undo problematic settings due to the fact that the user does not remember or does not know what exactly was changed and when.

To fix the problems, you need to return the default settings to Word. In this regard, the question arises: how to reset Word?

You can reset the default settings in Word in several ways, which you will learn about below. Before making changes to your computer related to the Word editor, read the following:

• Some preferences can only be reset after a complete reinstall of Word.
• Do not use MS Word while performing an application reset. Keep in mind that while the text editor is running, applied changes may be overwritten, so you will not be able to return to the default settings.

In this guide, you will find instructions on how to reset the default settings in Word in several ways. The content in this article is valid for versions of Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, Word 2007, Word 2003.

How to Reset Word Setting – 1 Method

First, we will look at the most commonly used method on how to reset Word settings to default. The method is to overwrite the regular template with default parameters.

Often errors happen because of the “Normal” template (Normal.dotm or Normal.dot). This template has “*.dot” and “*.dotm” extensions. The regular template contains styles and other settings that affect the appearance of the new document.

In the process of working with Word, users make their own changes, which are then applied to all new documents. It happens that the program uses completely different parameters that the user needs. To fix the situation, you need to reset the default settings in Word.

We need to change the name of the current template file (or delete this file) so that it doesn’t apply to Word. When you restart Microsoft Word, it will automatically create a new regular template file with default settings.

The “Normal” template (Normal.dotm) is located along the path:

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates

Do the following:

1. Press the “Win” + “R” keys.
2. In the Run dialog box, enter the command – “%appdata% /Microsoft /Templates”
3. Press the “Enter” key.
4. In the Explorer window that opens, in the “Templates” folder, find the “Normal.dotm” file.
5. Delete the “Normal” file (by default it is displayed without the filename extension), or rename this file to “Old.Normal” for example.
6. Open the Word program, which immediately after launch will create a new file “Normal.dotm” with default settings.
7. See if the issue has been resolved or not.

This method allows you to remove all changes that the user has made to Word preferences. Not always this method solves all the problems that arise. Therefore, further we will consider two more options on how to reset Word to factory settings.

How to reset Word to default settings – method 2

In some cases, the user needs to reset the Ribbon, Keyboard Shortcuts, and Quick Access Toolbar. To do this, you can use the standard settings in the Word options.

Do the following:

1. In the open Word document window, click on “File”.
2. Enter “Settings”.
3. In the Word Options window, click the Customize Ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar tab.
4. In the “Settings:” option, click on the “Reset” button.
5. Select “Reset all settings” from the drop-down menu.
6. In the window that opens, click on the “Yes” button to remove all ribbon and quick access toolbar settings.
7. Click on the “OK” button to exit the program settings.
8. Restart the Microsoft Word application.

How to reset Word to default using the registry editor – method 3

Using the built-in system tool – the Windows Registry Editor, you can reset the default settings in Word.

We will need to remove several registry keys related to the Word program. After deleting entries in the registry, when you restart Word, previously deleted registry keys will be re-created with default settings. This way we can reset Word to default.

Before performing work in the Windows system registry, it is recommended to create a backup copy of the registry . If something went wrong, you can use a backup to restore the changed registry values.

Go through the following steps:

1. Close the Word window.
2. In the Windows search box, type “regedit” and then run this application on your computer.
3. In the “Registry Editor” window, follow the path in the corresponding versions of the program.

In Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, Microsoft 365:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word

In Word 2013:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word

In Word 2010:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Word

In Word 2007:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word

In W0rd 2003:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word

1. Highlight the “Data” section.
2. Right-click on the “Data” section, and in the context menu, click “Delete”
3. In the “Warning partition deletion” window, click the “Yes” button.
4. Highlight the “Options” section.
5. Right-click on it, select “Delete”.
6. Confirm the deletion of the partition.
7. Restart your computer.
8. Start the editor to reset Word to default settings when the program recreates the deleted sections with default settings.

In some cases, you will need to reinstall Microsoft Office on your computer. First, you will need to uninstall the complete office suite, then restart your PC, and then you will need to install MS Office on your computer again.

Article Conclusions

The Microsoft Word editor may experience problems due to incorrect settings or for other reasons. To fix the problem, the user needs to know how to return the default Word settings.

Using several methods, the user can restore the default Word settings: by deleting and then automatically creating the “Normal.dotm” file, resetting the ribbon and quick access panel, deleting and recreating the registry keys in Windows related to this editor.