Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Finding Where Templates Are Stored.
It is unfortunate that Microsoft does not make it easier to modify templates. The first step in modifying templates is to load one, and that means you need to know where they are stored on disk. Regrettably, the average user hasn't a clue where they are stored on disk. The problem is that even Word Help cannot say exactly where the templates folder is on any particular computer.
If you want to know where your templates are stored, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The File Locations tab of the Options dialog box.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (862) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Finding Where Templates Are Stored.
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2012-08-01 07:49:33
csr
Alternatively, decide where YOU want to find the templates and define the new location and then make a shortcut to that location.
One specific benefit is that if your system goes down and you can access where you stored the temnplates (e.g. storing on another partition) you will not lose the templates with the Windows system and after restoring your system you can then point to the location
Final suggestion if you store on separate partitions is that such can be backed up swiftly and independently of windows
csr
2012-07-01 21:40:19
Peter Moran
Once you have found the location of the templates, go up one level and right click on the Templates folder name in the right screen and select Create Shortcut to create a shortcut in the folder above, which will be named "Templates - Shortcut" or similar.
Copy this shortcut to your defualt Documents folder and then rename it as "&WordTemplates" (no apostrophes!).
You now have a quick shortcut to your Templates whenever you need it!
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
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