Where Are Word's Settings Stored?

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 24, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


Have you ever looked at the different settings you can configure in the Options dialog box? There are well over a hundred different settings. If you count the secondary dialog boxes accessible from the Options dialog box, there are many, many more settings. This, of course, doesn't count the settings you may make on other dialog boxes in Word.

Suffice it to say that there are many, many different settings you can modify in order to configure the way that Word does its work. With so many settings, you might start to wonder where they are all stored.

There are three general places that Word stores most settings: documents, templates, and the Registry. Settings related to formatting, menus, and toolbars are stored in either documents or templates—most often in the Normal.dot template. The majority of settings that you make in the Options dialog box are stored in the Registry. The exact locations in the registry are too numerous to mention here, but there is a very helpful Knowledge Base article that lays out all the various locations:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/212242

It is important to remember that Word utilizes many tools that are not unique to Word, but are applicable to other programs in the Office suite. Tools such as AutoCorrect, the spell checker, and others have their own settings, and their own files and Registry keys where the settings are stored.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (3356) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Setting a Spacing Adjustment in the Equation Editor

The Equation Editor is a handy tool when you are creating documents that rely on mathematical formulas. If you want to ...

Discover More

Setting User Information

Need to change the information that Word stores about you? Here's how to find the info.

Discover More

Keep Your Headings in View

Headings on a table are very important when it comes to understanding what is in the table. This tip explains an easy way ...

Discover More

Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!

More WordTips (menu)

Finding a Lost Menu Bar

Once in a while Word can get confused and stop displaying an object you need to fully use Word. If your menu bar suddenly ...

Discover More

Word Won't Maximize

Sometimes, for whatever reason, your computer might not display Word or other programs properly. There are a few things ...

Discover More

Changing from Pirated to Permitted Software

When you install Microsoft Office, you are required to enter a product key that unlocks the software for your use. This ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 3 + 9?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

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.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.