DOCUMENT:Q181471 11-JUN-2002 [word97] TITLE :WD97: How to Reset User Options and Registry Settings PRODUCT :Word 97 for Windows PROD/VER:: OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbdta word8 word97kbfaq ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Word 97 for Windows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry 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-ins 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: NOTE: Because there are several versions of Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, please see your product documentation to complete these steps. 1. Click Run on the Start menu. 2. In the Run dialog box, click Browse. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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: NOTE: Because there are several versions of Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, please see your product documentation to complete these steps. 1. Quit all instances of Word, including WordMail. 2. On the Windows taskbar, click Start, point to Find, and click Files or Folders. 3. In the Named box, type "Normal.dot" (without the quotation marks). 4. 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). 5. Click Find Now to search for the file. 6. For each occurrence of Normal.dot that appears in the Find dialog box, right-click the file. Click Rename on the shortcut menu. Type a new file name, such as OldNormal.dot or Normal-1.dot and press ENTER. 7. 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: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. 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: NOTE: Because there are several versions of Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, please see your product documentation to complete these steps. 1. Quit all instances of Word, including WordMail. 2. On the Windows taskbar, click the Start button and click Run. 3. In the Open box, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks), and click OK. 4. Locate the following key by double-clicking the appropriate folders. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Data 5. With the Data folder selected (on the left), click Delete on the Edit menu to delete the key. 6. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion. 7. 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: \setup.exe /y 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 -------- 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 ---------------- 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 ----------- 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 -------- 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 -------- 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 -------------- 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 ------------------- 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 ----------- 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 ------------ 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 following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Equation Editor\3.0\Options\General 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: 1. On the File menu, click Templates and Add-ins. 2. Click Add. 3. Select the "Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Macros" folder. 4. Select the Support8.Dot file and click OK. This step adds the Support8 template to the "Global Templates and Add-ins" box. Click OK. 5. On the Tools menu, click Macro. 6. In the Macros In list, click Support8.dot (Template). 7. 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 (KB) article where you can find additional information about the setting. Setting name Storage location KB Article Q# ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 .acl AutoSave Path Registry Data Q140097 AutoText Template Bullets & Numbering Palette Registry Data Q157464 Common Office Registry Q157464 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 word8 word97 kbfaq Technology : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2 Version : : Issue type : kbhowto ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.