Office Settings & Configuration

How to Prevent Microsoft Office Quick Access Toolbar Settings from Resetting

Ayan Masood Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users frequently experience the loss of their custom Quick Access Toolbar settings in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint after Office updates.

How to Prevent Microsoft Office Quick Access Toolbar Settings from Resetting

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Updating the Office software suite after customizing the interface.
Observed behavior: Custom Quick Access Toolbar settings are reset to their defaults, and personal configurations are lost entirely following an update.

Before you start

Ensure you have customized your Quick Access Toolbar to your liking before proceeding, and completely close all active Microsoft Office applications to prevent file access errors.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Back Up and Restore Quick Access Toolbar Configuration Files

The most reliable way to prevent losing your Quick Access Toolbar customizations is to create a manual backup of the hidden configuration files.

Microsoft Office stores your Quick Access Toolbar configurations locally on your computer. Depending on your version of Office, these files end in .officeui, .qat, or .customui. By copying these files, you can quickly restore your layout if a system update overwrites them.

Navigate to the Office AppData Folder

Open File Explorer and enter 'C:\Users\<YourProfileName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office' in the address bar (replace <YourProfileName> with your actual Windows username), then press Enter.

Locate the Configuration Files

Look for files ending in '.officeui', '.qat', or '.customui' (such as Word.officeui, Excel.officeui, or PowerPoint.officeui).

Create a Backup

Copy these configuration files and paste them into a secure backup folder on your computer, such as your Documents folder or a cloud drive.

Restore Settings After an Update

If an Office update resets your toolbar, simply close all Office apps, copy your backed-up files, and paste them back into the original Microsoft Office AppData folder, confirming any prompts to replace existing files.

Manually Back Up and Restore Quick Access Toolbar Configuration Files

Viewing Hidden Folders: The 'AppData' folder is hidden by default in Windows. You may need to click on the 'View' tab in File Explorer and check the box for 'Hidden items' to access it.

Solution 2

Export UI Customizations via Office Options

You can also export your toolbar settings directly from within the Microsoft Office application interface.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Avoid Frustrating Update Resets with WPS Office

Tired of your custom toolbar configurations disappearing after every software update? Switch to WPS Office, a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. It offers a stable environment where your interface customizations stay intact, ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow without the hassle of manual backups.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions, then open WPS Office.
3. Customize and Create: Personalize your workspace and easily open, edit, and save your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.

Stable updates that preserve user configurations and personalized toolbar layouts.Full and seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on both older and modern Windows devices.Familiar user interface that requires zero learning curve to master.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Quick Access Toolbar settings keep resetting after updates?

Microsoft Office updates can sometimes overwrite or fail to migrate local configuration files correctly. Backing up your .officeui or .exportedUI files is currently the most effective workaround to prevent permanent data loss.

Are .qat files the same as .officeui files?

Yes, they serve the same purpose. Older versions of Microsoft Office (such as Office 2007) used .qat files, while newer versions (Office 2010 and later) adopted .officeui extensions for storing UI customizations.

Does reinstalling Microsoft Office delete my Quick Access Toolbar customizations?

Typically, yes. Reinstalling or running an advanced online repair of Microsoft Office may overwrite the AppData configuration folder, resetting your application to its factory default state.

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