Resetting Word to default settings

If you want to reset Microsoft Word to default settings, you have two ways to do it. You can either manually delete Word's registry key or use the Easy Fix Tool. This is especially recommended if you do not want to change anything in the registry yourself.

Reset Word manually

Before you change or delete anything in the registry, it is important to create a backup of the registry key. This way you are on the safe side if something goes wrong.

1. Call the Run dialog by pressing [Windows] + [R]. Type "regedit" in the input field and confirm with [Enter] or a click on "OK".
2. Search for the registry key for Word in the editor. You can find the key for Word 2016 via this path: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word". You can also find the older Word versions in the Office folder. Word 2013 is in the folder 15.0, Word 2010 in 14.0, Word 2007 in 12.0, Word 2003 in 11.0, Word 2002 in 10.0 and Word 2000 in the folder 9.0.
3. Click the key you want to delete and click on "Edit" in the navigation and there on "Delete".
4. Then close the registry editor.

Start Word now, the setup wizard will run and the registry key will be restored.

Microsoft Easy Fix - back to default settings

Do not want to mess around in the registry of your computer, you can also download the Easy Fix, which Microsoft offers. All you have to do is run the fix after downloading it. The wizard will then guide you through the process step by step.