WD97: How to Reset User Options and Registry Settings

ID: Q181471

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SUMMARY

This article describes various methods for resetting user options and registry settings in Microsoft Word.

MORE INFORMATION

There are two basic kinds of options that the user can define in Word. The first kind affects the way the program operates. The information for this kind of option is usually stored in the Windows registry. The second kind of option affects the formatting or appearance of one or more documents. The information for this option is stored in templates or documents.

When you troubleshoot odd behavior in the program or in a document, first eliminate the possibility that the problem is caused by a combination of options and formatting. If the behavior occurs in multiple documents, it may be useful to reset the user settings to the "factory" defaults either temporally or permanently. To do this, use one of the methods listed in the following table.


   Method                                                   Result
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   Hold SHIFT to prevent automatic macros from starting.    Temporary

   Start Word with the /a switch.                           Temporary

   Rename the Normal template.                              Temporary or
                                                            Permanent

   Edit or delete registry entries.                         Permanent

HOLDING THE SHIFT KEY

Word reserves special names for macros that you can create to automatically alter the way Word behaves. These are called "auto" macros. The auto macros in Microsoft Word are listed in the following table.


   Macro      Storage location                Automatically Runs
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   AutoExec   In the Normal template          When Word is started
              or in a global add-in

   AutoNew    In a template                   When a new document that is
                                              based on the template is
                                              created

   AutoOpen   In document or template         When a document that is
                                              based on the template or that
                                              contains the macro is opened

   AutoClose  In document or template         When a document that is
                                              based on the template or that
                                              contains the macro is closed

   AutoExit   In the Normal template          When Word is quit
              or a global add-in

Word recognizes a macro with a name that begins with "Auto" as a macro that automatically runs when the situation to which it applies occurs. You can prevent an auto macro from running by holding down the SHIFT key while performing the action that causes the macro to run.

STARTING WORD USING /A

Starting Word by using /a on a command line causes Word to use the default settings for all options and prevents add-ons from being loaded.

The /a switch allows you to start Word without loading the following components:

The global template (Normal.dot)

Any add-in templates in the Startup folder

Any add-in libraries (.wll files)

User settings stored in the Data key in the Windows registry

NOTE: When you start Word with the /a switch, changes you make in Word that affect any of these components are not written to the hard disk when you quit Word, and the changes are lost.

For the following example, assume that Word is located in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office folder.

To start Word 97 by using /a, follow these steps:

Click Run on the Start menu.

In the Run dialog box, click Browse.

Use the Look In box to locate Winword.exe, and then select it. Then click Open.

This step fills in the Open box in the Run dialog box.

In the Open box, move the insertion point after Winword.exe.

NOTE: The path to the Winword.exe in the Run dialog box is enclosed in quotation marks. Be sure to move the insertion point to the right of the closing quotation mark.

Type a space, and then type "/a" (without the quotation marks).

The statement in the Open box should resemble the following:
"C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\WINWORD.EXE" /A

If starting the program with the /a switch corrects the problem, use the following methods to further isolate the problem.

RENAMING THE NORMAL TEMPLATE

To prevent formatting, AutoText, and macros that are stored in the Normal template (Normal.dot) from affecting behavior of the program and documents that are opened, rename Normal.dot. Renaming allows you to quickly determine whether the Normal template is causing the problem or behavior.

NOTE: Renaming the Normal.dot template resets several options back to the default settings, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. For this reason, Microsoft strongly recommends that you rename the Normal.dot file.

Certain kinds of configurations may create more than one Normal.dot file. These situations include cases in which multiple versions of Word are running on the same computer or cases in which several workstation installations exist on the same computer. In these situations, be sure to rename the correct copy of Normal.dot.

To rename the Normal.dot file, follow these steps:

Quit all instances of Word, including WordMail.

On the Windows taskbar, click Start, point to Find, and click "Files or Folders".

In the Named box, type "Normal.dot" (without the quotation marks).

In the Look In box, select your local hard disk drive (or an alternate user template location if you are running Word from a network server).

Click Find Now to search for the file.

For each occurrence of Normal.dot that appears in the Find dialog box, right-click the file. Click Rename on the shortcut menu. Give the file a new name, such as OldNormal.dot or Normal-1.dot.

Quit the find dialog box and restart Word normally (without using the /a switch).

If Word starts correctly, you have resolved the problem. In this case, the problem is a damaged Normal.dot template. You may need to change a few settings to restore your favorite options. If the Normal.dot file you renamed contains customizations, such as styles, macros, or AutoText entries that cannot be easily recreated, you may be able to copy those customizations from the old Normal.dot file to the new Normal.dot file by using the Organizer.

For more information about using the Organizer, click the Office Assistant, type "using the Organizer," click Search, and then click "Use settings from another document or template."

DELETING REGISTRY ENTRIES

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

Deleting the Data Key:

NOTE: Deleting the Data key resets several options back to the default settings, including the File menu most recently used file list, and many settings you customize in the Options dialog boxes.

Most common options (click Options on the Tools menu) are stored in the Data key. One troubleshooting step is to delete the Data key. Word rebuilds this Data key by using the default settings the next time the program is started.

To delete the Data key, follow these steps:

Quit all instances of Word, including WordMail.

On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button and click Run.

In the Open box, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks), and click OK.

Locate the following key by double-clicking the appropriate folders.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Data

With the Data folder selected (on the left), click Delete on the Edit menu to delete the key.

Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.

Quit the registry editor and restart Word normally (without using the /a switch).

If Word starts correctly, you have resolved the problem. The problem is a damaged Data key. You may need to change a few settings to restore your favorite options.

To edit or delete other registry entries:

Use the preceding steps but substitute the correct registry key in step 4, and then use Modify or Delete in step 5.

NOTE: Some keys are automatically rebuilt when you run Word. To rebuild other keys, you must reinstall the program by using the /y switch on the command line to recreate the correct entry. For more information see the following section.

USING SETUP /Y

The /y switch prevents Setup from copying files. Setup proceeds normally, including setting registry entries; however, it does not copy any files to the computer. Use this switch to restore registry entry values or to track down process problems without copying files.

This switch may be used when running Microsoft Office 97 Setup in maintenance mode, for example:


   <D>:\setup /y

where <D> is the location of the program compact disc.

WHERE SETTINGS ARE STORED IN THE REGISTRY

Word 97 stores all of its settings in the Windows registry; Word 97 no longer stores information in an *.ini file or in the Winword.opt file as do Word 2.x and 6.x.

This section lists the settings in the registry that pertain to Word 97. The locations are organized into the following sections:

Main locations of Word settings

Settings in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word

Settings in HKEY\CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Common

Settings in HKEY\CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MS Setup (ACME)

Settings in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools

Miscellaneous settings

Using the RegOptions macro

Main Locations of Word Settings

Most settings in Word are stored in the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word

Changes made to this HKEY_CURRENT_USER key are mirrored in the following key:

HKEY_USERS\Default\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word

The difference between the two locations is that first one applies only to the current user of the system while the other one is the default for all users. However, Word entries are the same for both; so, any change made to one is automatically reflected in the other.

NOTE: For the remainder of this section, all references to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER key apply also to the HKEY_USERS key except where noted.

SETTINGS IN HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word

The settings that you may need to examine during troubleshooting are located in this key. The Data key and the Options key are the most frequently changed areas.

Data Key

Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Data

The Word 97 for Windows equivalent to the Word 6.x Winword.opt file is the 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. It also contains the same information that is stored in the Winword.opt file in Word for Windows 6.x, such as Track Changes settings (Revision settings in Word 6.x) and Edit settings.

Default Save Key

Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Default Save

This key sets the default format for saving documents. You can change the default format Word 97 uses by changing the Save Word Files As setting in Word. To locate this option in Word, click Options on the Tools menu, and then click the Save tab.

Options Key

Path: \\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Options

This key stores the options that you can set from Word either by changing menu options or by running the RegOptions macro. These are the editable options.

The settings fall into two groups: default settings and optional settings. Default settings are established during Setup. You can change them by modifying options in Word. Optional settings are not created during Setup; to add them you must run the RegOptions macro.

These default settings are the following:


   AutoSpell              Turns Automatic spell checking on or
                          off

   AutoGrammar            Turns Automatic grammar checking on or
                          off

   Autosave-Path          Sets default folder for "autosave"
                          documents

   BackgroundPrint        Turns background printing on or off

   BackgroundSave         Turns background saving on or off

   EnableMacroVirus       Turns macro warning on or off

   NoEditTime             Turns on and off recording of edit time
                          in statistics

   Picture-Path           Sets the path for clip art

   PlainTextAutoFormat    Sets Autoformat for WordMail documents

   ProgramDir             Sets the Word program folder

   Startup-Path           Sets the path for the startup folder

   StartWhatIsNew         Turns What Is New screen on and off at
                          startup

   Tools-Path             Sets alternative locations for proofing
                          tools

   Wordmail-Path          Sets WordMail directory path

   WPHelp                 Turns WordPerfect Help on or off

The optional settings are the following:


   Bak-Extension          Sets default extension for backup files

   BitMapMemory           Sets memory for internal graphics cache

   CacheSize              Sets internal document text cache for
                          Word

   DateFormat             Sets the default date format for Word

   Doc-Extension          Sets the default extension for Word
                          documents

   Doc-Path               Sets the default path for documents
                          saved in Word

   Dot Extension          Sets the default extension for templates
                          in Word

   OleDot                 Sets the default template used to create
                          document objects in Word or other OLE
                          applications

   SlowShading            For printers with special drawing
                          function, allows shading of graphics

   TimeFormat             Sets the default time format for Word

   UpdateDictionaryNumber Sets the default order for custom
                          dictionaries

   User Dot Path          Sets the default path for User
                          templates

   Workgroup Dot Path     Sets the default path for Workgroup
                          templates

Help Key

Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Help\Files

This key contains the paths for the Word Help files. Word Help, WordPerfect Help, and Visual Basic Help paths are found here.

HTML Key

Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\HTML

This key contains the default settings for the Web Authoring feature. The default settings are the following:


   AutoUpDate           Sets the date to check the Web for updates

   AutoUpdateAddress    Sets the Web address to check for Web
                        updates

   Bullet Path          Sets the path for Web graphical bullets

   Clipart URL          Sets the Web address for new Web clipart

   Dlg Bullet Path      Sets the path for basic Web bullets

   Dlg HorizontalLine   Sets the path for basic Web lines

   HorizontalLine Path  Sets the path for Web graphical lines

   LocalContent         Sets the location for documents containing
                        default content used by the Web page
                        wizard

   LocalPageStyles      Sets the location for .gif files, backgrounds,
                        and templates used by the Web page wizard

   WebArt Path          Sets the path for local clipart

Stationery Key

Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Stationery

This key contains the default location for the template for WordMail and the links to find the template.

The four settings are the following:


   Cfg File Location    Sets the path to the WordMail folder

   Default Template     Sets the path to the template (by default,
                        Email.dot)

   DlgDefTpl            Shows a link to the default template

   Option               Shows a link to the default template

Text Converters Key

Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Text Converters

This key contains registration information for text converters for Word. It includes the keys for import and export converters. Each converter registers its extension, name, and path in this key.

NOTE: Three uncommon converters registered in this key are the Schedule Plus converter, the MSPAB converter, and the Microsoft Outlook converter. These converters allow you to import contact lists through an Address book.

The paths are the following:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Text Converters\Import\Splus

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Text Converters\Import\MSPAB

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Text Converters\Import\OUTLOOK

Wizards Key

Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Wizards

This key replaces the Wordwiz.ini file from earlier versions of Word. All wizard defaults are stored here. These setting are created the first time you run a wizard.

WordMail Key

Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\WordMail

This key contains the window position information for WordMail.

SETTINGS IN: HKEY\CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Common

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



Assistant    Sets information about the chosen Office Assistant

AutoCorrect  Sets the path to the .ACL file (which contains the
             AutoCorrect list) and lists the current settings for
             AutoCorrect

FileNew      Sets paths for local and shared templates

Internet     Stores settings for File Transfer Protocol (FTP) sites and
             icons

Open Find    Stores default setting for Open and Save dialog boxes in
             Microsoft Word, including current view and file name and
             most recently used lists

Toolbars     Turns ToolTips on or off and sets button sizes for toolbars

Userinfo     Sets user information including address, name, and initials

SETTINGS IN: HKEY\CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MS Setup (ACME)

This setting refers to the user's name, which you are prompted to fill in during Setup.


User Info      Sets the user name and company name for Setup usage

SETTINGS IN: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools

This key contains paths for all Windows applets (programs such as Equation, WordArt, and MSGraph). Paths for graphics filters and text converters are also registered in this location. There are two keys that pertain to Word. One is the Graphics Filters key, which registers the import and export filters, and the other is the Text Converters key, which registers import and export converters. In addition, each filter and converter is registered individually. A list of clients that use a filter, converter, or applet is listed under each tool.

Miscellaneous Settings

The .doc file name extension is registered in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT in several ways.

Class Ids are in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

Equation Editor options outlined in the RegOptions Macro are registered in the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Equation Editor\3.0\Options\General key. Note that the Options\General folders do not appear unless options are set.

Using the RegOptions Macro

The RegOptions macro can be used to examine the Windows registry or to make changes to Word settings stored there. To run the macro, follow these steps:

On the File menu, click Templates.

Click Add.

Select the Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Macros folder.

Select the Support8.Dot file and click OK.

This step adds the Support8 template to the "Global Templates and Add- ins" box. Click OK.

On the Tools menu, click Macro.

In the Macros In list, click Support8.dot (Template).

In the Macros list, click RegOptions, and then click Run.

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF OPTIONS AND WHERE THEY ARE STORED.

NOTE: In the following table, "Template" refers to either the Normal.dot template or to a custom template. The "Qxxxxxx" reference refers to a Microsoft Knowledge Base article where you can find additional information about the setting.


   Setting name                    Storage location
   -----------------------------------------------------
   Active Window Prop              Registry Data/Q157464
   AutoCorrect-Cap info            Registry Data/Q157464
   AutoCorrect-Formatted text      Normal.dot
   AutoCorrect-Path                Registry Data/Q157464
   AutoCorrect-Shared Entries     .ACL files <user>.acl
   AutoSave Path                   Registry Data/Q140097
   AutoText                        Template
   Bullets & Numbering Palette     Registry Data/Q157464
   Common Office                   Registry/Q15746464
   Company Name                    Winword.exe
   Confirm Conversion Options      Registry Data/Q157464
   Custom Keystroke Assignments    Template
   Custom Label                    Registry Data/Q157464
   Default View Mode               Registry Data/Q157464
   Default View Zoom               Registry Data/Q157464
   Drawing Object Prop             Registry Data/Q157464
   Edit                            Registry Data/Q157464
   Envelope                        Registry Data/Q157464
   File Locations                  Registry Data/Q157464
   File Routing Slip               Registry Data/Q157464
   Font Substitution               Registry Q163813
   Format Style List               Registry Data/Q157464
   General                         Registry Data/Q157464
   Grammar                         Registry Q157464
   Help File                       Registry Data/Q157464
   Help for WP                     Registry Options/Q135872
   HTML                            Registry Data/Q157464
   Macros                          Template/Document
   Mailing Address Name, Initials  Registry Data/Q157464
   Most Recently Used File List    Registry Data/Q157464
   Most Recently Used Font List    Registry Data/Q157464
   Picture Editing                 Registry Q112199
   Print                           Registry Data/Q157464
   Print data forms                Document
   Proofing Tools                  Registry Data/Q157464
   Revisions(Track Changes)        Registry Data/Q157464
   Save                            Registry Data/Q157464
   Screen Location                 Registry Data/Q157464
   Shared Tools                    Registry Q157464
   Show Tips                       Registry Data/Q157464
   Snap to Grid                    Registry
   Sort Options                    Registry Data/Q157464
   Spelling                        Registry Data/Q157464
   Styles                          Template/Document
   Table of Authorities            Registry Data/Q157464
   Templates and Add-ins           Registry Data/Q157464
   Text Converters                 Registry Data/Q157464
   Toolbar Docking                 Registry Data/Q157464
   Toolbars                        Template/Document
   Tools/Options View              Registry Data/Q157464
   User Info                       Registry
   View Options                    Registry Data/Q157464
   View Toolbars                   Template
   View/Ruler                      Registry Data/Q157464
   View/Toolbar                    Template
   Virus Protection                Registry Q157464
   Wizards                         Registry Q157464
   WordMail                        Registry Q157464

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

Information pertaining to AutoCorrect is stored in various locations. These locations are listed in the following table.


   This AutoCorrect information                 Is stored here
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   AutoCorrect entries shared by all          .acl file in the location
   programs                                    specified in the registry

   AutoCorrect entries used only by            Normal.dot
   Word (formatted text and graphics)

   AutoCorrect settings (correct two initial   Registry
   capitals, capitalize names of days,
   replace text as you type)

   AutoCorrect settings used only by           Registry
   Word (Correct accidental usage of CAPS
   LOCK key, Capitalize first letter of
   sentences)

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbdta
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto