How to reset user options and registry settings in Word

Let me fix it myself

WARNING: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To manually reset a registry key, you must first delete it.

IMPORTANT: Always export a registry key before you delete it. This step is important because you may have to restore the functionality that is provided by the key.

Follow these steps.

1. Exit all Microsoft Office programs.

2. Click Start > Run, type "regedit", and then click OK.

3. Expand the appropriate folders to locate the registry key that you want to delete. Refer to the "Main locations of Word settings in the Windows Registry" section below.

4. Click to select the key that you want to delete.

5. Use one of the following methods, as appropriate for your operating system:

   1. In Microsoft Windows 2000: Click Registry > Export Registry File on the Registry menu, type a file name for the backup copy of the key, and then click Save.

   2. In Windows XP and later versions or in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and later versions: Click File > Export, type a file name for the backup copy of the key, and then click Save.

6. Ensure that the key that you just exported is selected, and then click Edit > Delete.

7. When you are prompted to respond to one of the following messages, click Yes:
   
   Are you sure you want to delete this key? or Are you sure you want to delete this key and all of its subkeys?

8. Exit the Registry Editor.

After you delete a registry key, and then you restart the program, Word runs the Setup program to correctly rebuild the registry key. If you want to rebuild the registry key before you run the program, repair your installation by following the steps in the "Repair Word (Office)" section. 

Word key

Word 2016: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word
Word 2013: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word
Word 2010: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Word
Word 2007: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word
Word 2003: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word
Word 2002: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word
Word 2000: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Word

Changes made to this HKEY_CURRENT_USER key are mirrored in the following keys for Word 2003, for Word 2002, and for Word 2000:

Word 2003: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word

Word 2002: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word

Word 2000: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Word

The difference between the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" location and the HKEY_USER" location is that the first applies only to the current user of the system, and the second is the default location for all users. However, Word entries are the same for both locations. Therefore, any change that is made to one location is automatically reflected in the other location.

NOTE: For the rest of this section, all references to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER tree apply also to the HKEY_USERS tree, except for the 2007 Microsoft Office 2007 programs and where otherwise noted.

The Data key and the Options key are the most frequently changed areas.

Data key

This key contains binary information for "most recently used" lists, including the most recently used file list and the most recently used address book list. This key also contains "Track Changes" settings and "Edit" settings.

Word 2016: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Data
Word 2013: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word\Data
Word 2010: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Word\Data

Word 2007: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data

Word 2003: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Data
Word 2002: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word\Data
Word 2000: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Word\Data

Options key

This key stores the options that you can set from Microsoft Word, either by changing menu options or by running the Registry Options Utility. For more information, see the "Use the Registry Options Utility" section.

The options are in two groups: default options and optional settings. Default options are established during the setup process. You can change them by modifying options in Word. (To modify options in Word, click Options on the Tools menu.)

These options may or may not appear in the registry.

Word 2016: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Options
Word 2013: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Word\Options
Word 2010: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Word\Options
Word 2007: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Options
Word 2003: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options
Word 2002: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word\Options
Word 2000: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Word\Options

Wizards key

All wizard defaults are stored in this key. These settings are created the first time that you run a wizard.

Word 2003: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Wizards

Word 2002: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word\Wizards
Word 2000: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Word\Wizards

Common key

This key is used by other Microsoft programs, such as the Office programs. These settings are shared between programs. Changes made in one program's settings also appear in the other program's settings.

Word 2016: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common

Word 2013: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Common

Word 2010: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Common

Word 2007: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Common

Word 2003: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Common

Word 2002: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Common

Word 2000: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common

Shared Tools key

This key contains the paths for all Windows utilities. (The path may include utilities such as Equation, WordArt, and MS Graph.) Paths for graphics filters and text converters are also registered in this location.

Word 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools

Method 1: Use the "Detect and Repair" or "Microsoft Office Diagnostics" feature

NOTE: This method is the least aggressive mode of repair. If this method does not resolve the problem, you may still have to use one of the other methods.

To run the Detect and Repair feature in Word 2003 and in earlier versions of Word, click Detect and Repair on the Help menu in Word. The Detect and Repair feature fixes and repairs Word. All files, registry entries, and optional shortcuts for all Office programs are verified and repaired. If you run Detect and Repair from Word, all other Office programs are also checked. This feature performs only a checksum.

The Detect and Repair feature can also restore the Word program shortcuts on the Start menu. To restore the Word program shortcuts, click Help > Detect and Repair, and then check the Restore my shortcuts while repairing box.

If Detect and Repair does not correct the problem, you may have to reinstall Word. The Reinstall feature in the Maintenance Mode popup window performs the same action as Detect and Repair, except that Reinstall copies a file when the files are of equal versions. Detect and Repair does not copy over the file when the installation file has the correct version and checksum.

NOTE: The Detect and Repair feature does not repair damaged documents or damaged data keys in the registry or in the Normal template.

If a file that Word uses at Startup is missing, the Windows Installer automatically installs that file before it starts the program.

In Word 2010, repair Word or the installed Office suite in Control Panel.

In Word 2007, run the Microsoft Office Diagnostics feature. To do this, click the Microsoft Office button, then click Word Options > Resources > Diagnose.  
 

Method 2: Repair Word in Maintenance Mode setup

NOTE: This method is a moderate mode of repair. If this method does not resolve the problem, you may still have to reinstall Word.

The Maintenance Mode Setup process is similar to the process found in earlier versions of Word. The Maintenance Mode Setup process allows you to repair, add or remove features, and remove the program. "Repair" is a feature in Maintenance Mode that finds and then fixes errors in an installation.

To perform a Maintenance Mode repair, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Use one of the following methods, depending upon your operating system:

   1. In Windows 7 or Windows Vista: click Start, and then type "add or remove" .

   2. In Windows XP or Windows Server 2003: click Start, and then click Control Panel.

   3. In Windows 2000: click Start > Settings > Control Panel.

3. Open Add or Remove Programs.

4. Click Change or Remove Programs, click Microsoft Office (Microsoft Office Word) or the version of Office or Word that you have in the Currently installed programs list, and then click Change.

5. Click Repair or Repair Word (Repair Office), and then click Continue or Next.

6. In Word 2003 and in earlier versions of Word: click Detect and Repair errors in my Word installation or click Detect and Repair errors in my Office installation, then check the Restore my Start Menu Shortcuts box, and then click Install.

Method 3: Reinstall Word (Office)

NOTE: This method is the most aggressive mode of repair. This mode resets Word to its default settings, except for settings that are stored in your global template (Normal.dot or Normal.dotm). To do this in Word 2003 and in earlier versions of Word, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Use one of the following methods, depending upon your operating system:

   1. In Windows 7 or Windows Vista: click Start, and then type "add or remove".

   2. In Windows XP or Windows Server 2003: click Start, and then click Control Panel.

   3. In Windows 2000: click Start > Settings > Control Panel.

3. Open Add or Remove Programs.

4. Click Change or Remove Programs, click Microsoft Office (Microsoft Office Word) or the version of Office or Word that you have in the Currently installed programs list, and then click Change.

5. Click Repair Word (Repair Office), and then click Next.

6. Click Reinstall Word (Reinstall Office), and then click Install.

For more information about Word 2007 or Word 2010, see How to install the individual 2007 Office features or to repair the installed 2007 Office programs.

Global Template (Normal.dotm or Normal.dot)

To prevent formatting changes, AutoText entries, and macros that are stored in the global template (Normalm.dot or Normal.dot) from affecting the behavior of Word and documents that are opened, rename your global template (Normal.dotm or Normal.dot). Renaming the template lets you quickly determine whether the global template is causing the issue.

When you rename the Normal.dotm template in Word 2007 or later or the Normal.dot template in Word 2003 and in earlier versions of Word, you reset several options to the default settings. These include custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. We strongly recommend that you rename the template instead of deleting the Normal.dotm template or the Normal.dot template. If you determine that the template is the issue, you will be able to copy the custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries from the Normal.dot template that was renamed. 

Certain types of configurations may create more than one Normal.dotm template or Normal.dot template. These situations include cases where multiple versions of Word are running on the same computer or cases where several workstation installations exist on the same computer. In these situations, make sure that you rename the correct copy of the template. 

To rename the global template file, follow these steps:

1. Exit all Office programs.

2. Click Start > Run, type "cmd", and then click OK.

3. Type the following command, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:

   1. Word 2002 and Word 2003: "ren %userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot OldNormal.dot"

   2. Word 2007 and Word 2010: "ren %userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dotm OldNormal.dotm"

4. Press Enter.

5. Type "exit", and then press Enter.

When you restart Word, a new global template (Normal.dot) is created that contains the Word default settings.
 

Add-ins (WLLs) and templates in the Word and Office Startup folders

When you start Word, the program automatically loads templates and add-ins that are located in the Startup folders. Errors in Word may be the result of conflicts or problems with an add-in.

To determine whether an item in a Startup folder is causing the problem, you can temporarily empty the folder. Word loads items from the Office Startup folder and the Word Startup folder. 

To remove items from the Startup folders, follow these steps:

1. Exit all instances of Word, including Microsoft Outlook if Word is set as your email editor.

2. Use one of the following methods, as appropriate for the version of Word that you are running:

   1. Word 2013: Click Start > Run, then type "%programfiles%\Microsoft\Office\Office15\Startup\", and then click OK.

   2. Word 2010: Click Start > Run, then type "%programfiles%\Microsoft\Office\Office14\Startup\", and then click OK.

   3. Word 2007: Start > Run, then type "%programfiles%\Microsoft\Office\Office12\Startup\", and then click OK.

   4. Word 2003: Start > Run, then type "%programfiles%\Microsoft\Office\Office11\Startup\", and then click OK.

   5. Word 2002: Start > Run, then type "%programfiles%\Microsoft\Office\Office10\Startup\", and then click OK.

3. Right-click one of the files that is contained in the folder, and then click Rename.

4. After the file name, type ".old", and then press Enter. 
   
   IMPORTANT: Important Note the original name of the file. You may have to rename the file by using its original name.

5. Start Word.

6. If you can no longer reproduce the problem, you have found the specific add-in that causes the problem. If you must have the features that the add-in provides, contact the vendor of the add-in for an update.

7. If the problem is not resolved, rename the add-in by using its original name, and then repeat steps 3 through 5 for each file in the Startup folder.

8. If you can still reproduce the problem, click Start > Run, type "%userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup", and then click OK.

9. Repeat steps 3 through 5 for each file in this Startup folder.

COM add-ins

COM add-ins can be installed in any location, and they are installed by programs that interact with Word. 

To view the list of COM add-ins in Word 2010: click the Microsoft Office button, click Options, and then click Add-Ins.

To view the list of COM add-ins in Word 2007: click the Microsoft Office button, click Word Options, and then click Add-Ins.

To view the list of installed COM add-ins in Word 2003 and in earlier versions of Word, follow these steps:

1. Click Tools > Customize.

2. Click the Commands tab.

3. In the Category list, click Tools.

4. Drag the COM Add-Ins command to a toolbar.

5. Click Close.

6. Click the new COM Add-Ins button to view the COM add-ins that are loaded together with Word.

If add-ins are listed in the COM Add-Ins popup window box, temporarily turn off each add-in. To do this, uncheck the box for each listed COM add-in, and then click OK. When you restart Word, Word does not load
the COM add-ins.
 

Summary of Word options and where they are stored

NOTE: In the following table, "Template" refers to either the Normal.dot template or a custom template.

AutoCorrect lists are shared between Office programs. Any changes that you make to the AutoCorrect entries and settings when you are in one program are immediately available to the other programs. Additionally, Word can store AutoCorrect items that are made up of formatted text and graphics.

Information about AutoCorrect is stored in various locations. These locations are given in the table below.