Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Microsoft Word AutoCorrect Settings from Resetting

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs a reliable method to preserve their custom AutoCorrect and AutoFormat settings that continually revert to defaults upon restarting the application or system.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing proofing and automatic formatting settings in Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: Changes made to AutoCorrect, AutoFormat As You Type, and AutoFormat settings are lost and revert to default whenever Word or Windows restarts.

Before you start

Ensure you have the Developer tab enabled in your Microsoft Word ribbon, as fixing this known issue requires creating or recording a simple VBA macro.

Solution 1Recommended

Create an AutoExec VBA Macro in a Global Template

Use an automatic execution macro to force your preferred AutoCorrect settings to apply every time Word starts.

Due to a known issue where Word occasionally fails to retain proofing preferences, manually enforcing them upon startup is the most reliable workaround.

Open the Visual Basic Editor

Press the 'Alt + F11' keys simultaneously in Microsoft Word to open the VBA Editor window.

Insert a New Module

In the left-hand Project pane, right-click 'Normal', hover over 'Insert', and click 'Module'.

Write the AutoExec Procedure

Type 'Sub AutoExec()' and press Enter. Inside the procedure, define your required AutoCorrect properties. For example, add 'Application.AutoCorrect.CorrectInitialCaps = False' and 'Application.AutoCorrect.CorrectSentenceCaps = True'.

Save to the Startup Folder

Click the Save icon. Save the code as a macro-enabled template (.dotm) and place this file inside your global Word Startup folder so it runs automatically at launch.

Known Issue: Issues with Microsoft Word failing to retain AutoCorrect, Quick Access Toolbar, and Ribbon settings have been widely reported to the Word product team.

Solution 2

Record a Macro for AutoCorrect Options

If you prefer not to write the macro code from scratch, you can record your actions and rename the macro to run at startup.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Securely Save Your Preferences

If you are tired of resorting to complex VBA macros just to save basic settings, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, user-friendly environment that reliably saves your custom settings out of the box.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install and Configure: Run the installation file, follow the quick setup wizard, and set WPS Writer as your default word processing application.
3. Customize and Save Easily: Open WPS Writer, navigate to your settings to customize AutoCorrect preferences, and enjoy persistent configurations without writing code.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.doc, .docx, .dotm).Reliably saves AutoCorrect, proofing, and interface customizations without requiring complex macro workarounds.Lightweight design ensures fast startup times and minimal system resource consumption.Familiar ribbon interface requires no learning curve for previous Microsoft Word users.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Microsoft Word Startup folder located?

By default in Windows, the Word Startup folder is typically located at '%appdata%\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP'. Storing a .dotm file here ensures its macros automatically load when the application is launched.

Why do my Word AutoCorrect settings keep resetting?

This is a known bug in certain versions of Microsoft Word where the application fails to save changes to the normal template (Normal.dotm) upon exiting, forcing AutoCorrect, Ribbon, and Quick Access Toolbar settings to revert to their factory defaults.

What is an AutoExec macro in Microsoft Word?

An AutoExec macro is a specific VBA procedure that automatically executes its code whenever Microsoft Word starts. It is highly useful for applying custom preferences or environment settings immediately upon launch.

Will a global .dotm template apply to all my documents?

Yes. When a macro-enabled template (.dotm) is placed in the Word Startup folder, it acts as an add-in. The settings and macros within it are loaded globally and apply to all documents you edit during that session.

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