Template Issues

How to Stop Word from Opening an Unwanted Second Document

Steve K Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

An unrelated second Word document opens automatically whenever a specific document is launched.

How to Stop Microsoft Word from Opening an Unwanted Second Document

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening a document in Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: A second document opens alongside the selected file because unwanted text or behavior was inadvertently saved to the global Normal.dotm template.

Before you start

Ensure that all active Microsoft Word windows and background processes are completely closed before modifying template files.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove Unwanted Content from the Normal.dotm Template

Access and clear the default Normal.dotm template to remove any text or elements that are triggering the second document to open.

Close Microsoft Word

Make sure all open Word documents are closed.

Open the Templates folder

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates and click OK.

Open Normal.dotm

Right-click the Normal.dotm file and select 'Open'. Do not simply double-click the file, as this will create a new blank document instead of opening the template itself.

Clear contents and save

Delete any unwanted text, images, or macros from the file. Click the 'Save' button, close the template, and restart Word to test.

Remove Unwanted Content from the Normal.dotm Template

Right-click to Open: It is crucial to right-click Normal.dotm and choose 'Open'. Double-clicking creates a new document based on the template, so your changes won't be saved to the actual template file.

Solution 2

Rename the Normal Template to Force a Reset

If you cannot edit the template, renaming it forces Word to automatically generate a fresh, default template on its next launch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Normal.dotm file in Microsoft Word?

Normal.dotm is the default global template in Microsoft Word. It stores basic document settings like default fonts, margins, styles, and macros. Every new blank document is generated based on this file.

Why did my Normal.dotm template get modified?

The Normal template can be inadvertently modified if you accidentally click 'Yes' when prompted to save changes to the global template, or if a third-party add-in or macro alters the default settings.

Will resetting or renaming Normal.dotm delete my existing Word documents?

No. Resetting or renaming the Normal.dotm file only resets the default settings for future blank documents. Your previously saved files and their specific contents will remain completely unaffected.

Document & File Issues