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How to Restore the Classic Quick Style Preview in Microsoft Word
Question details
The user wants to restore the classic appearance of the Quick Style gallery in Word after it unexpectedly changed to display 'AaBbCc' text with very small labels.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is attempting to format a document and prefers the visual previews of the previous Quick Style gallery interface.
- Observed behavior
- The Quick Style gallery now displays 'AaBbCc' text and small style labels instead of the expected formatted style previews, resulting from the Office Visual Refresh update.
Before attempting to edit the Windows Registry to revert the Office Visual Refresh, ensure you have closed all Microsoft Office applications to prevent configuration conflicts.
Apply a Registry Workaround to Revert the Visual Refresh
Because the visual changes are part of an intentional update by Microsoft, restoring the classic preview requires modifying the Windows Registry.
The change to the Quick Style gallery is part of the 'Office Visual Refresh' introduced by Microsoft. It is not an installation fault or a bug.
While Microsoft initially allowed users to toggle this feature via a megaphone icon, newer builds may require a registry edit to force the old UI.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type 'regedit' and press Enter. Click 'Yes' if prompted by User Account Control.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\ExperimentConfigs\Ecs\word.
Follow the specific string value additions detailed in Microsoft's official community forums for disabling the 'New Experience/Visual Refresh'. Be careful to enter the exact values provided by Microsoft support agents.
Close the Registry Editor and relaunch Microsoft Word to check if the classic Quick Style gallery formatting previews have returned.
Enjoy a Consistent and Classic Interface with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by sudden UI changes like the Office Visual Refresh in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a familiar, user-friendly interface that lets you manage document styles effortlessly without needing complex registry workarounds.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office Free for a seamless transition from Microsoft Office.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files without losing any formatting.
- 3. Access the Style Gallery: Navigate to the Home tab to use the straightforward, classic-looking Styles gallery to easily format your text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Word Quick Style gallery change to AaBbCc?
This change was introduced by Microsoft as part of the Office Visual Refresh update. The update redesigned the Style gallery to show standardized 'AaBbCc' text instead of the full formatting previews you may be used to.
Can I disable the Office Visual Refresh without editing the registry?
In the early rollout phases, a megaphone icon appeared in the title bar allowing users to toggle the 'Upcoming features' off. However, in newer versions, the Visual Refresh is permanent unless specific registry keys are modified.
How do I take a quick screenshot in Windows to share in support forums?
You can easily capture a specific area of your screen by pressing the Shift + Windows + S keys. This copies the snipped area to your clipboard, allowing you to easily paste it into forums or documents using Ctrl + V.
