Fix Microsoft Word Not Remembering Window Size on Windows
Question details
The user wants Microsoft Word to remember its window dimensions and position upon reopening.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Reopening Microsoft Word or creating new blank documents after resizing the application window, often on large ultrawide or multi-monitor setups.
- Observed behavior
- Word opens with a small or incorrectly sized window, failing to retain the user's previously set window dimensions, whereas other apps like Excel and Outlook function normally.
Ensure your Microsoft 365 apps are fully updated and note whether the window size issue only occurs when disconnecting from external monitors.
Use SaveViewLocMulti Add-in and Update the Normal Template
Use a specialized macro add-in to force Word to save your window size, position, and view settings directly into the document variables.
This approach utilizes a highly recommended community add-in that stores your window dimensions inside the normal.dotm template, ensuring new documents inherit the correct layout.
Download the SaveViewLocMulti add-in (available from Jay Freedman's repository) and place it into your Microsoft Word Startup folder.
Launch Microsoft Word and press Alt + F11 on your keyboard to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.
Press Ctrl + G to open the Immediate window at the bottom of the VBA editor. Type 'NormalTemplate.OpenAsDocument' (without quotes) and press Enter.
Return to the Word document window (which is now editing normal.dotm). Make a minor change, such as typing a space and deleting it, to prompt a save state. Resize the window to your preferred dimensions, save the template, and close Word.
Manually Resize and Force Save the Window State
A built-in Windows trick to force an application to remember its last window size without needing third-party add-ins or macros.
Use WPS Office for a Predictable, Customized Workspace
If Microsoft Word consistently fails to remember your preferred layout and window sizes, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, reliable, and free alternative that seamlessly integrates with your existing workflow without requiring complex add-ins to maintain standard window behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word keep opening in a small window?
This happens when Word fails to record the last closed window dimensions in the Windows Registry or normal.dotm template. It is frequently caused by external ultrawide monitors, resolution changes, or corrupt registry keys.
Where is the normal.dotm template located in Windows?
By default, normal.dotm is located in the hidden AppData directory at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates. You can navigate here using File Explorer to edit or reset it.
Does holding Ctrl while closing Word save the window size?
Yes, a standard Windows troubleshooting trick is to resize the window manually (avoiding snap-to-edge features), then hold the Ctrl or Shift key while clicking the 'X' to close. This forces the operating system to overwrite the saved coordinates.
Can connecting external monitors affect Word's window position?
Yes. When moving between laptop screens and external monitors, the previously saved X and Y coordinates might fall outside the current display's resolution. Windows often compensates by defaulting to a smaller, generic window size to ensure the application remains visible.
