When you open an Outlook 2003 template file (*.oft), the default signature is not inserted as expected

Consider the following scenario.

• In Microsoft Office Outlook 2003, you create a default signature for outgoing messages, for replies, and for forwards.
• You use Microsoft Office Word as your e-mail editor.
• You open an Outlook 2003 template file (*.oft).

However, the default signature is not inserted as expected.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: To resolve this problem, apply hotfix package 969300, and then enable the hotfix package. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Apply hotfix 969300.
   
   For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   969300  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/969300/ ) Description of the Outlook 2003 hotfix package (Outllib.dll, Winword.exe): April 30, 2009
2. Enable the hotfix package. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. In Windows Vista, click Start
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      , type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
      
      
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      If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.
      
      In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
   2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Preferences\
   3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
   4. Type AttachSignatureToTemplate, and then press ENTER.
   5. Right-click AttachSignatureToTemplate, and then click Modify.
   6. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
   7. Exit Registry Editor.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

To use Word as your e-mail editor, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Mail Format tab.
2. Click to select the Use Microsoft Office Word 2003 to edit e-mail messages check box.

To set the default signature, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Mail Format tab.
2. Click Signatures, and then type a signature in the Edit signature section.