Office Settings & Configuration

How to Reset Settings and Undo Changes in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is looking for a way to reset Microsoft Word changes and settings, noting the absence of a universal reset button.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reverting document edits, removing tracked changes, or completely restoring default Word template configurations.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word lacks a single reset button, requiring users to use different methods depending on whether they need to undo edits, reject changes, or restore default template files.

Before you start

Determine what exactly you need to reset—whether it is a recent typing mistake, a tracked document revision, or the overall formatting defaults of the application.

Solution 1Recommended

Restore Word's Default Template Settings

Use this method to reset default document formatting, margins, and styles by forcing Word to recreate its base template.

Microsoft Word stores its default formatting settings in a global template file called Normal.dotm. Renaming this file while Word is closed forces the application to generate a fresh, factory-default template the next time it opens.

Close Microsoft Word

Ensure that all active Microsoft Word document windows and dialog boxes are completely closed before proceeding.

Access the Templates Folder

Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type '%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates' (without quotes) and press Enter.

Rename the Normal.dotm File

Locate the file named 'Normal.dotm' in the folder. Right-click on it, select 'Rename', and change its name to 'Normal.old'.

Restart Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word again. The software will automatically create a new Normal.dotm file, restoring your default fonts, styles, and margins.

Configuration Limits: Renaming the Normal.dotm file will reset your default styles and macros, but it will not reset every single application preference or registry-based configuration in Word.

Solution 2

Undo Recent Document Edits

Quickly revert recent typing mistakes or formatting adjustments in your active document.

Solution 3

Reject Tracked Changes

Remove unwanted document edits that were made while the Track Changes feature was enabled.

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Switch to WPS Office for a Streamlined Experience

If you find managing Microsoft Word's settings, templates, and configurations unnecessarily complex, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly intuitive word processor that makes managing document settings straightforward while maintaining full compatibility with Microsoft Office files.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick setup instructions on your screen.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and instantly open your existing Word files with perfect formatting preservation.

Seamless format compatibility with Microsoft Word documents (.docx, .doc, .dotm)Lightweight application that uses fewer system resources and loads instantlyClean, intuitive interface making formatting and configuration easy to manageCompletely free to use for essential word processing and document editing tasks

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Word reset all settings?

Not necessarily. Uninstalling Microsoft Word often leaves behind user data, templates, and registry keys. Reinstalling usually imports these existing settings. Renaming the Normal.dotm template or resetting specific registry keys is the most effective way to restore defaults.

Will renaming Normal.dotm delete my saved documents?

No. The Normal.dotm file only contains the default formatting, styles, and macros for new blank documents. Your existing saved documents will remain completely unaffected and perfectly safe.

How do I reset Microsoft Word settings on a Mac?

On a Mac, you can reset the default template by closing Word, navigating to ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates in Finder, and moving the Normal.dotm file to the Trash. Word will generate a new one upon restart.

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