Office Settings & Configuration

How to Transfer Microsoft Word AutoCorrect Entries from Windows 10 to Windows 11

WPS Content Manager Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to migrate a large list of custom Microsoft Word AutoCorrect entries from an older Windows 10 computer to a new Windows 11 system.

How to Transfer Microsoft Word AutoCorrect Entries from Windows 10 to Windows 11

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows 10, Windows 11
Scenario: Setting up Microsoft Word on a new Windows 11 PC and wanting to retain all custom AutoCorrect shortcuts and text replacements created on the old PC.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word does not provide a native, one-click export button for AutoCorrect entries, meaning the entries do not automatically transfer to the new computer.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator access to both your Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers, and have a USB flash drive or cloud storage ready to transfer the backup files.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the AutoCorrect2007 Template to Backup and Restore Entries

The most reliable method to transfer Word AutoCorrect entries is using a specialized macro template created by Jay Freedman to safely extract and import your shortcuts.

Because Microsoft Word stores AutoCorrect entries across different language-specific ACL files and standard templates, manually copying them often leads to data corruption. Using the AutoCorrect2007 tool automates the process and ensures compatibility across systems.

Note that if you have thousands of custom entries, Word may take a few minutes to process the restore function. Be patient and allow the macro to finish.

Download the AutoCorrect tool

On your Windows 10 computer, download Jay Freedman's AutoCorrect2007 template (usually found as a zip file on his macro website) and extract the template file.

Unblock the macro template

Right-click the extracted template file, select 'Properties', check the 'Unblock' box at the bottom of the General tab to allow Windows to run it, and click 'OK'.

Back up entries on Windows 10

Open the template file in Microsoft Word on your Windows 10 PC. Enable macros if prompted by the yellow security bar, then click the 'Backup' button in the template. This generates a Word document containing all your entries.

Transfer files to Windows 11

Copy both the AutoCorrect2007 template and the newly generated backup document to a USB drive or cloud storage folder, then move them onto your new Windows 11 computer.

Restore entries on the new PC

On the Windows 11 computer, open the AutoCorrect2007 template in Word, enable macros, and click the 'Restore' button. Follow the prompts to select your backup document and import the entries.

Use the AutoCorrect2007 Template to Backup and Restore Entries

Processing Time for Large Collections: Restoring a large collection of AutoCorrect entries can take several minutes. Do not force close Word if it temporarily appears unresponsive during the restore process.

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Upgrade Your Document Experience with WPS Office

If you are tired of relying on third-party macros to migrate your basic Office settings, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that is easier to manage on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Download WPS Office: Click the download button to get the latest, fully compatible version of WPS Office for your Windows 11 computer.
2. Install the Application: Run the lightweight installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer to instantly open, edit, and save your existing Microsoft Word documents without losing any formatting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I just copy the AutoCorrect folder to my new Windows 11 PC?

Microsoft Word stores AutoCorrect entries in multiple places, including the Normal.dotm template and language-specific ACL files in hidden AppData folders. Manually moving these files between different operating systems often causes compatibility issues or corrupted templates, which is why using a macro export tool is recommended.

Does the AutoCorrect2007 tool work for Microsoft 365?

Yes. Despite the '2007' in its name, Jay Freedman's macro template is continuously updated and remains highly compatible with modern versions of Microsoft Word, including Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365.

Why is Windows blocking the downloaded macro template?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 have built-in security features (Mark of the Web) that automatically block macros in files downloaded from the internet to prevent malware. You must right-click the downloaded file, select Properties, and check the 'Unblock' option before Word will allow the backup tool to run.

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