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If you are trying to restore Microsoft Word to its original and glorious state, you are at the right place. Resetting MS Word to its default settings involves a few straightforward steps that will rejuvenate your writing process.

So, prepare to derive the joy of writing with a refreshed and renewed Microsoft Word that will elevate your work.

Let us now jump in and get your Microsoft Word back to normal.

Also, read: Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs

Resetting Microsoft Word To Default Settings

Table of Contents

Here are some of the methods of resetting MS Word to its default settings in Microsoft Office:

1. Preserve Current Settings Before Resetting Word

Resetting Word to default settings will delete the personalized configurations and customizations. So, you should back up essential files and templates beforehand.

Here is how to do it:

Open Word, select “File” > “Options.”
In the Word Options dialog, click on “Save”.

Enable “Save AutoRecover information every – minutes” in Word settings for added document safety.
Select a time from the options and choose a backup location for your word-processing files.
Confirm by clicking “OK.”

For the safety of the documents, store multiple backups on various devices or cloud services.

2. Tweak The Registry

Tweaking the Windows Registry key is another way of resolving the issue, and this is how you can do it:

Open Registry Editor using Windows Search.

Click on Yes from the UAC prompt.

Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Your Word Version\Word
Then right-click on Word and delete the Word folder.

Click on Yes to confirm.

Exit Registry Editor.

When you open Word, you will find that it has been reset to its default settings.

3. Reset Word From File Explorer

Resetting Word from File Explorer can be done quickly by following the methods mentioned below:

Open File Explorer using Windows Search.

C: Users\Your NAME\AppData.
If the AppData folder is not visible, click on the View tab, click on Show, then Hidden Items in Windows 11.

Then select Appdata> Roaming > Microsoft >Templates.
Right-click on the Normal Template.

Then select Show More Options and then Delete it.

Once done, exit File Explorer.

Reopen Word after a restart to apply the new settings.
Click on a Blank Document.
Now, you should find that all the Settings are reset to their factory defaults.

What Are The Consequences Of Resetting Word To Default Settings?

There are several consequences of resetting Word to its default settings, and those are:

Resetting Word to default settings will revert all customizations
Resetting can also lead to compatibility issues with certain documents in various versions of Word.

There is a high chance that you will have to reinstall third-party add-ins or plugins
The normal.dotm template file can get corrupted

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I Reset MS Word To Its Default Settings If I Make Changes?

After customizing various settings in MS Word, if you want to return to the default configuration, you can use the program’s reset feature, which will restore Word to its default state.

Is There Any Way To Know That MS Word Is Back To Its Default Settings?

To confirm whether MS Word has been successfully reset to its default settings, look for noticeable changes, such as default Word Templates, formatting options, or program behavior.

Can I Reset The Program To Its Default Settings Without Losing My Word Documents?

Resetting the program to its default settings won’t affect your Word documents. It will mainly restore the program settings, configurations, and preferences to their original state and ensure the software functions as it did when it was installed.

Wrap Up

Now that you are prepared to rediscover the joy of writing with a refreshed MS Word, elevate your work to new heights.

Embrace the liberating and empowering experience, start afresh, free from the clutter of the past, and embark on a journey to rediscover MS Word by your side.