Reset Microsoft Word to default settings

Millions of users across the world uses Microsoft Word as the main word-processing application. However, at times, the Microsoft Word can too consist of some glitches which can hinder it to function properly. When faced with glitches in the Word App, its users should reset the Microsoft Word to its default settings. Thus, this article will provide all the relevant fixes with the help of which its users can reset it to default settings.

Reset Microsoft Word to default settings

Now, without wasting any more time, let us barge into the fixes with the help of which the users of Windows 11/10 reset Microsoft Word to its default settings.

Fix 1: Resetting Microsoft Word with Registry

The first method with the help of which the users can reset Word to its default settings is resetting it with Registry. Let us look at the steps which will allow us to do the same.

Step 1- Firstly, press Windows + R and write regedit in the Run dialog box. Then click Enter and open the Windows Registry.

Step 2- Next, copy and paste the address below for the Office versions of 2016/2019/365:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word

Step 3- Further, press Word key and select Delete for deleting the key.

Step 4- Lastly, exit the Registry Editor and reboot the PC. Check Microsoft Word and see if it is reset to default settings.

Fix 2: Changing the name of Normal.dotm file

Changing the name of the template of Microsoft Word can also aid in resetting the application. Hence, follow the steps below for doing the same.

Step 1- Close all the Microsoft Office applications.

Step 2- Next, click Windows + E and open File Explorer. Now click the three dots and select Options.

Step 3- Again, select View > Hidden files and folders and select Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Click OK and save all the changes.

Step 4- Again, type Windows + R and open the Windows Run dialog box.

Step 5- Now, enter the prompt given below in the Run dialog box and click Enter-

%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates

Step 6- Next, navigate to Normal.dotm file and right- click it. Now, click Rename and rename the file name as Normal.old. This will allow Microsoft Word to create a new file with its default settings. Also, the users can follow the steps above to hide the hidden files and folders once again if required.

Fix 3: Resetting Microsoft Office Settings

Apart from the fixes mentioned above, the users can also reset the entire settings of Microsoft Office. This shall too solve any issue with any of the Microsoft Office apps.

Step 1- Primarily, type Windows + S and open the Windows Search dialog box.

Step 2- Next, write Office in the search box. Now, right-click the Office app and click App settings.

Step 3- Lastly, go to Reset section and select Reset. This will reinstall Microsoft Office and reset it to default settings.

Hence, hoping that with all the aforementioned fixes, the users of Windows 11 can easily reset Microsoft Word to its default settings.