How to Reset Microsoft Word to Default Factory Settings

A step-by-step guide to resetting your default Word template back to factory settings

After using Microsoft Word for many projects, you may find that the program no longer runs the way it did when it was first installed. The default settings for one or more features—such as fonts, toolbar placement, and autocorrect options—might be different after clicking the wrong thing or moving things around by accident. Uninstalling and reinstalling Word won't help because those preferences are saved on your computer; you'll need to find and rename the Normal template file so Word can create a new one. This wikiHow teaches you how to restore Microsoft Word to its original layout and settings on Windows and macOS.

Things You Should Know

  • You must delete or rename the Normal template (Normal.dotm) for Word to create a new one.
  • On Windows, go to your User folder → "AppData" → "Roaming" → "Microsoft" → "Templates".
  • On Mac, open the "Library" folder → "Group Containers" → "UBF8T346G9.Office" → "User Content" → "Templates".
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Windows

  1. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 1
    1
    Close Microsoft Word. Be sure to save any open documents. You won't be able to reset any of your settings while the application is open.
    • This method requires modifying the Windows registry, which is an advanced task. Before you edit the registry, it's a good idea to back it up so you can restore it if something goes wrong.
  2. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 2
    2
    Press ⊞ Win+E. This opens the File Explorer. You can also open File Explorer by clicking it in the Windows menu.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 3
    3
    Set the File Explorer to show hidden files and folders. This is necessary for displaying a folder you'll need to edit:
    • Click the View menu at the top of File Explorer.
    • Click Options at the top-right corner of the window.
    • Click the View tab.
    • Select Show hidden files, folders, and drives under "Hidden files and folders".
    • Click Apply, and then click OK.
  4. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 4
    4
    Navigate to your Users folder in File Explorer. To do this, click the address bar at the top of File Explorer, type C:\Users\, and then press Enter.
    • If Windows is installed on another drive, replace C with the appropriate drive letter.
  5. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 5
    5
    Navigate to your Microsoft Templates folder. Follow these steps:
    • Double-click the folder for your username in the right panel.
    • Double-click the AppData folder (this is usually hidden).
    • Double-click the Roaming folder.
    • Double-click the Microsoft folder.
    • Double-click the Templates folder.
  6. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 6
    6
    Rename the "Normal.dotm" file to Normal.old. This file contains many of your Word options—when you rename the file, Word will have to create a new file with its original factory settings.[1] Here's how to rename the file:
    • Right-click Normal.dotm and select Rename.
    • Remove .dotm from the end of the file name and replace it with .old.
    • Press the Enter key.
    • Now that you're finished in File Explorer, it's a good idea to go back to View > Options > View and rehide hidden files and folders.
  7. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 7
    7
    Press ⊞ Win+R. This key combination opens the Run window, which is where you'll be able to open the registry editor for the remaining settings changes.
  8. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 8
    8
    Type regedit and click OK. This opens the registry editor.[2]
    • You may have to click Yes to open the editor.
  9. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 9
    9
    Double-click HKEY_CURRENT_USER. It's in the left panel of the registry editor. This expands more options inside.
  10. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 10
    10
    Double-click SOFTWARE. It's in the new set of folders that expanded in the left panel. More folders will appear.
  11. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 11
    11
    Double-click Microsoft. It's also in the left panel. Even more folders will expand.
  12. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 12
    12
    Double-click Office. More folders will expand.
  13. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 13
    13
    Double-click the correct folder for your version of Word. The next folder you'll enter depends on which version of Word you're using:
    • Word 365, 2019, and 2016: Double-click the 16.0 folder.
    • Word 2013: Double-click the 15.0 folder.
    • Word 2010: Double-click the 14.0 folder.
    • Word 2007: Double-click the 12.0 folder.
    • Word 2003: Double-click the 11.0 folder.
  14. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 14
    14
    Click the Word folder one time. Don't double-click—just click it once to select it.
  15. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 15
    15
    Press the Del key to delete the key. When you're prompted to confirm, click Yes to do so.
    • Now that you've made these changes, you can close the registry editor and File Explorer. Restart your computer.
    • You can now start from scratch in Word.
    16. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

macOS

  1. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 16
    1
    Close Word and all other Office applications. You'll need to move some files around, and you won't be able to do so while Office applications are open.
    • This method should work on all modern versions of Word for macOS, including Word 2016, Word 2019, and Word 365.
  2. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 17
    2
    Open the Finder
    Mac Finder
    .     It's the two-toned smiley face icon on the left side of the Dock.
  3. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 18
    3
    Press the ⌥ Option key as you click the Go menu. It's at the top of the screen. This displays a menu that contains the Library folder, which would've been hidden if you hadn't used the Option key.[3]
  4. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 19
    4
    Click the Library folder. A list of files will appear.
  5. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 20
    5
    Double-click the Group Containers folder. It's inside of the Library folder. Another set of files and folders will appear.
  6. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 21
    6
    Double-click the UBF8T346G9.Office folder. Yet another folder and file list will appear.
  7. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 22
    7
    Double-click the User Content folder. Don't worry, you're almost there!
  8. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 23
    8
    Double-click the Templates folder. This is the folder that contains the file containing your Word settings.
  9. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 24
    9
    Rename the normal.dotm file. To rename it:
    • Click normal.dotm one time to select it.
    • Press the Return key.
    • Delete the part that says ".dotm" and replace it with .old.
    • Press Return to save the new file name, which is now normal.old.
  10. Image titled Restore Factory Settings in Microsoft Word Step 25
    10
    Close Finder and restart your computer. When you open Word again, it will automatically recreate the normal.dotm file, giving you a fresh start.[4]
    11. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I stop a dot from showing on my document in Microsoft Word whenever I press the space bar?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    File --> Options --> Display. Go down to 'Always show these formatting marks on the screen' and uncheck 'spaces'.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Create a 3D Object in Microsoft Word
How to
Create a 3D Object in Microsoft Word
Insert Fillable Fields on Word on PC or Mac
How to
Insert Fillable Fields on Word on PC or Mac
Change the Orientation of Text in Microsoft Word4 Simple Ways to Rotate Text Direction & Position in Word
Make a Computer Diary
How to
Make a Computer Diary
Remove a Blank Page in Word
How to
Remove a Blank Page in Word
Check a Word Count in Microsoft Word
How to
Check a Word Count in Microsoft Word
Insert Page Numbers in WordEasily Add Page Numbers to a Word Document on Any Platform
Create an Index in Word
How to
Create an Index in Word
Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
How to
Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
Convert Excel to Word3 Easy Ways to Convert Microsoft Excel Data to Word
Make Two Columns in Word2 Easy Ways to Make Two Columns in Microsoft Word
Insert a Check Box in Word
How to
Insert a Check Box in Word
Convert a JPEG Image Into an Editable Word Document3 Free Ways to Convert JPEG Into an Editable Word Document
Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word3 Simple Ways to Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/word/reset-options-and-settings-in-word
  2. ↑ https://wordribbon.tips.net/T012864_Factory_Default_Settings_for_Word.html
  3. ↑ https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/showing-hidden-files-on-a-mac/
  4. ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_word-mso_mac-mso_365hp/reset-microsoft-word-365-normal-template-on-mac/9d1fc3e0-2b07-4c88-8edc-88b4155c4e3c

About This Article

Rain Kengly
Written by:
Rain Kengly
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been viewed 497,214 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 18
Updated: March 6, 2023
Views: 497,214
Categories: Microsoft Word
Article SummaryX

1. Close Microsoft Word.
2. Set the File Explorer to show hidden files and folders.
3. Navigate to C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates in File Explorer.
4. Rename the "Normal.dotm" file to Normal.old.
5. Open the Registry Editor.
6. Navigate to HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Office
7. Double-click your version of Word.
8. Delete the Word key.
9. Restart Word.

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement