Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Microsoft Word Custom Keyboard Shortcuts Resetting

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

Custom keyboard shortcuts for inserting symbols in Microsoft Word disappear after the application is closed.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Custom Keyboard Shortcuts Resetting

Product: Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Family)
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Saving custom keyboard shortcuts for symbols to the default Word template.
Observed behavior: The custom shortcuts keep resetting and are lost upon reopening Microsoft Word, despite being saved to the Normal.dotm template.

Before you start

Ensure that all instances of Microsoft Word are completely closed before troubleshooting template files. You may also need to temporarily pause your antivirus software if it restricts changes to system template folders.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify and Update Normal.dotm Template Permissions

Check if your Normal.dotm template is successfully saving changes or being restricted by file permissions.

Microsoft Word normally stores custom keyboard shortcuts in a global template file called Normal.dotm. If this file is set to read-only or is blocked from updating, your shortcuts will be lost upon closing the program.

Enable hidden files and folders

Open File Explorer in Windows 11, click on the 'View' menu at the top, navigate to 'Show', and ensure 'Hidden items' is checked.

Locate the Normal template

Navigate to the template path: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates.

Test the modification timestamp

Keep the folder open, launch Word, assign a new custom shortcut, and close Word. Check if the 'Date modified' of Normal.dotm has updated.

Check file permissions

If the timestamp did not change, right-click the Normal.dotm file, select 'Properties', and ensure the 'Read-only' attribute is unchecked at the bottom of the General tab.

Verify and Update Normal.dotm Template Permissions

Antivirus Interference: If permissions are correct but the file still fails to update, check if your antivirus or Windows Security Ransomware Protection (Controlled folder access) is blocking Word from making changes to the AppData folder.

Solution 2

Disable Conflicting COM Add-ins

Third-party add-ins can sometimes prevent Word from saving changes to the default template upon exit.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Reliable Customization

If Microsoft Word continues to lose your custom keyboard shortcuts due to persistent template issues, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative where personalizing shortcuts and saving document settings is seamless and stable.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your Windows 11 device.
2. Open your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx or .doc files directly, maintaining all original formatting.
3. Customize Shortcuts: Navigate to Menu > Options > Customize Ribbon to effortlessly map and save your preferred keyboard shortcuts for any tool or symbol.

Free to download and use with a highly intuitive, familiar user interface.Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .doc, and .dotm.Reliable customization settings that save instantly without complex template troubleshooting.Lightweight installation that uses minimal system resources and opens files rapidly.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Word keyboard shortcuts disappear when I close the app?

This typically happens when changes to the Normal.dotm template (where global shortcuts are stored) fail to save. Common causes include read-only file permissions, third-party COM add-ins holding the file open, or overly strict antivirus software blocking updates to the AppData folder.

Where is the Normal.dotm file located in Windows 11?

The Normal template is usually located at C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates. Because the AppData folder is hidden by default in Windows 11, you must enable 'Hidden items' in the File Explorer View menu to see it.

Can Windows Security prevent Word from saving shortcuts?

Yes. If you have 'Controlled folder access' enabled in Windows Security (Ransomware protection), it might block Microsoft Word from making legitimate modifications to the template folders. You may need to add Word as an allowed app.

How do I back up my custom shortcuts in Word?

Because custom shortcuts, macros, and AutoText are saved in the Normal.dotm file, you can easily back them up by copying the Normal.dotm file from the Templates folder and storing it in a safe location like an external drive or cloud storage.

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