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Deleting the Normal.dot (or Global Template) for Microsoft Word

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This fix is the one most widely used by technicians to reset Word to its default settings without having to Uninstall Word!

SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE TO FIND YOUR VERSION OF WINDOWS THAT MATCHES YOUR VERSION OF WORD
 
WINDOWS 95/98
 
Win95/98 - WORD 97:
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 97! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 97.
  2. Click Start -> Find -> Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Find Now" button
  6. The screen below will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 8.0
  18. Word
  19. Right-click on the yellow folder "Data" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  20. Right-click on the yellow folder "Options" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  21. Close the registry.
  22. Restart Word 97 and check to see if the error occurs again.

 

Win 95/98 - WORD 2000:
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 2000! Scroll up or down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 2000.
  2. Click Start -> Find -> Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Find Now" button
  6. The screen below will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 9.0
  18. Right-click on the yellow folder "Word" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  19. Close the registry.
  20. Restart Word 2000 and check to see if the error occurs again
Win95/98 - WORD 2002 (WORD XP):
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 2002 (XP)! Scroll up or down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 2002 (XP).
  2. Click Start -> Find -> Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Find Now" button
  6. The screen below will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 10.0
  18. Right-click on the yellow folder "Word" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  19. Close the registry.
  20. Restart Word 2002 and check to see if the error occurs again
 
WINDOWS MILLENNIUM (ME)
 
Windows ME - WORD 97:
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 97! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 97.
  2. Click Search -> For Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Search for files or folders named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Search Now" button
  6. The screen to the right will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 8.0
  18. Word
  19. Right-click on the yellow folder "Data" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  20. Right-click on the yellow folder "Options" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  21. Close the registry.
  22. Restart Word 97 and check to see if the error occurs again
Windows ME - WORD 2000:
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 2000! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 2000.
  2. Click Search -> For Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Search for files or folders named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Search Now" button
  6. The screen to the right will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 9.0
  18. Right-click on the yellow folder "Word" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  19. Close the registry.
  20. Restart Word 2000 and check to see if the error occurs again
 
Windows ME - WORD 2002 (WORD XP):
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 2002! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 2002.
  2. Click Search -> For Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Search for files or folders named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Search Now" button
  6. The screen to the right will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 10.0
  18. Right-click on the yellow folder "Word" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?" 
  19. Close the registry.
  20. Restart Word 2002 and check to see if the error occurs again
 
 
 
WINDOWS 2000
 
 
Win2000 - WORD 97
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 97! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 97.
  2. Click Search -> For Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Search for files or folders named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Search Now" button
  6. The screen to the right will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 8.0
  18. Word
  19. Right-click on the yellow folder "Data" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  20. Right-click on the yellow folder "Options" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  21. Close the registry.
  22. Restart Word 97 and check to see if the error occurs again
Win2000 - WORD 2000:
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 2000! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 2000.
  2. Click Search -> For Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Search for files or folders named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Search Now" button
  6. The screen to the right will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 9.0
  18. Right-click on the yellow folder "Word" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  19. Close the registry.
  20. Restart Word 2000 and check to see if the error occurs again
 
Win2000 - WORD 2002 (WORD XP):
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 2002! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 2002.
  2. Click Search -> For Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Search for files or folders named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Search Now" button
  6. The screen to the right will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 10.0
  18. Right-click on the yellow folder "Word" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?" 
  19. Close the registry.
  20. Restart Word 2002 and check to see if the error occurs again

WINDOWS XP

WINXP - Word 97

  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 97! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 97.
  2. Click Search -> For Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Search for files or folders named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Search Now" button
  6. The screen to the right will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 8.0
  18. Word
  19. Right-click on the yellow folder "Data" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  20. Right-click on the yellow folder "Options" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  21. Close the registry.
  22. Restart Word 97 and check to see if the error occurs again
WinXP - WORD 2000:
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 2000! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 2000.
  2. Click Search -> For Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Search for files or folders named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Search Now" button
  6. The screen to the right will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 9.0
  18. Right-click on the yellow folder "Word" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?"
  19. Close the registry.
  20. Restart Word 2000 and check to see if the error occurs again
 
WinXP - WORD 2002 (WORD XP):
  1. This step-by-step is ONLY FOR WORD 2002! Scroll down to find the version you are using if it is not Word 2002.
  2. Click Search -> For Files or Folders
  3. In the box labled "Search for files or folders named" type NORMAL.DOT
  4. In the last box labeled "Look In", select the C:\ drive
  5. Click the "Search Now" button
  6. The screen to the right will reveal the results of your search. Usually only one file but I have seen several when this file is corrupted.
  7. Click Edit -> Select All 
  8. Push the "Delete" key on your keyboard. Or Click Edit -> Delete
  9. Next we are going to the Registry  Editor. If you do not see EXACTLY the same registry key DO NOT DELETE IT! If you delete the wrong registry keys you could potential damage your installation of Windows. This could require a reformat and reinstallation of your entire windows.
  10. Click Start -> Run
  11. Type "REGEDIT" (Do not type the quotation marks. It does not have to be all capital letters. I did it in CAPS for clarification purposes)
  12. Double-click (left click unless I specifically say "right-click") the yellow folders in order: 
  13. HKEY_CURRENT_USER 
  14. Software
  15. Microsoft
  16. Office
  17. 10.0
  18. Right-click on the yellow folder "Word" and select "Delete". Select "Yes" when asked if you are "...sure you want to delete this registry key?" 
  19. Close the registry.
  20. Restart Word 2002 and check to see if the error occurs again