If you have changed your default font, boarders, page size, and you can’t remember how to undo those changes or if you just have a weird Word 2007 2010 2013 problem, you can easily reset your settings back to default by deleting a few files.

Before you begin, close Word.

  1. Delete NORMAL.DOTM and BUILDINGBLOCKS.DOTX
    1. Normal.DOTM and BuildingBlocks.DOTX usually reside in C:\Users\<your user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
    2. The default NORMAL.DOTM files used for new profiles are stored C:\Users\Default\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
    3. These files are rebuilt automatically when word is started
  2. Use regedit to delete HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Word\Data 
    1. This key is rebuilt automatically when word is started

Click to enlarge these screen shots. 

The first one shows you where how to determine where Word is looking for Normal.DOTM and the second screen shot shows you the key to delete.

Word2007 2010 2013 Normal dot dotm reset

Word2007 2010 2013 Normal dot dotm reset

Word 2007 2010 2013 Reset Settings Registry

Word 2007 2010 2013 Reset Settings Registry


22 Comments

hans · December 4, 2014 at 2:28 am

worked as a charme

Stephanie · September 4, 2014 at 2:23 am

This was a great and easy fix. Thanks my 2013 works great.

theo · July 22, 2014 at 6:34 am

Worked!

kathlos · July 22, 2014 at 3:40 am

if office are genuine and activated will i lose the activation by this method?

kelmy · May 19, 2014 at 5:25 pm

Works perfectly…..thanks a lot 😀

mohamaf · March 12, 2014 at 12:07 pm

my problem solved. thnx a lot

malintha · February 17, 2014 at 12:37 am

worked on office 2013. thanks

HEN · November 4, 2013 at 9:24 am

Working perfectlly i just remove the file NORMAL.DOTM and it automatic restore the office

vkgupta · June 10, 2013 at 10:38 am

working for me thanks ms office 2013 i like this

bkgupta · June 10, 2013 at 10:36 am

worked for me on word 2013, the registry part needs to be done

luis alexandre · March 10, 2013 at 4:39 pm

thanks

mahmoud · February 17, 2013 at 10:57 am

thanks

klack · December 18, 2012 at 1:59 pm

worked for me on word 2007, the registry part needs to be done

blackandtan509 · December 7, 2012 at 9:20 am

Worked for me! Thank you SO much!

Dimitar · November 16, 2012 at 10:45 am

This guide did’t work for me…i’ll try something other. Thanks anyway

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