Office for Mac Issues

How to Stop Normal.dotm from Appearing on Mac Desktop in Word

Elise Williams Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent Microsoft Word for Mac from automatically saving the Normal.dotm template file to the desktop.

How to Stop Normal.dotm from Appearing on the Mac Desktop

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Closing Microsoft Word applications
Observed behavior: A Normal.dotm file is created on the Mac desktop every time Word closes, indicating that the User Templates folder path is incorrectly configured.

Before you start

Verify if you have saved any custom macros, autotext, or personalized styles in your current Normal.dotm file, as you may want to back it up before making directory changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify the User Templates Location in Word Preferences

Use this solution to redirect Word to save the Normal.dotm file in the correct hidden system folder rather than on your desktop.

Microsoft Word relies on a designated 'User Templates' folder to store default document configurations. If this path is accidentally set to your desktop, the Normal.dotm file will continuously appear there.

Open Word Preferences

Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar and select 'Preferences'.

Access File Locations

In the Preferences window, locate and click on 'File Locations' under the Personal Settings section.

Modify the User Templates Path

Select 'User Templates' from the list and click the 'Modify' button. Choose a folder other than your desktop (such as a dedicated Templates folder in your Documents directory or the default Library path).

Restart and Verify

Close Microsoft Word. If prompted to save the Normal template, click 'Save'. Reopen Word and check your desktop to ensure a new Normal.dotm file is no longer generated there.

Modify the User Templates Location in Word Preferences

Path Successfully Changed: Word will now reference your newly designated folder for all template creations and modifications.

Solution 2

Rename the Existing Desktop Normal.dotm File

Use this method if modifying the path doesn't take effect immediately and you need to force Word to generate a fresh template file.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Normal.dotm file used for in Word?

The Normal.dotm file is the default template that Microsoft Word uses whenever you create a new, blank document. It stores your default formatting preferences, macros, AutoText entries, and custom styles.

Can I safely delete the Normal.dotm file from my Mac?

Yes, you can safely delete it. However, it is generally recommended to rename it (e.g., to OldNormal.dotm) instead. When Word restarts, it will automatically generate a fresh, factory-default Normal.dotm file, and renaming preserves your old file in case you need to recover specific custom macros or styles.

Where should the User Templates folder ideally be located on Mac?

Depending on your specific version of Office, the default path is usually either `~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates` or `~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/User Templates/`. It is best kept in these hidden system directories to avoid cluttering your workspace.

Why can't I find the Library folder in Finder to check my templates?

The Library folder is hidden by default on modern macOS versions to prevent accidental changes to system files. To access it, open Finder, click on the 'Go' menu at the top of your screen, and hold down the 'Option' (Alt) key. The 'Library' option will appear in the dropdown menu.

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