Microsoft KB Archive/822908

= How to delete the Word Options registry key for Word 2003 =

PSS ID Number: 822908

Article Last Modified on 8/31/2004

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Office Word 2003

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Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry



For a Microsoft Word 2002 version of this article, see 319157.

IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * Install the Support Template
 * Create a Shortcut to the Support Template
 * Delete the Word Options Registry Key



SUMMARY
This step-by-step article describes how to delete the Word Options key from the Windows Registry, to prevent the key from loading when you start Word 2003.

The Options registry key stores those options that you can set from Word, either by changing menu options, or by running the Registry Options utility. These are the editable options.

The settings are divided into two groups: default settings and optional settings. Default settings are established during Setup. You can change the default settings by modifying the options in Word. Optional settings are not created during Setup. To add the optional settings, you must run the Registry Options utility.

For additional information about the Registry Options utility, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

820917 HOW TO: Change Word Options in the Windows Registry for Word 2003

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Install the Support Template
With the Support Template, you can troubleshoot Word startup problems. The Support Template is installed when you perform a Complete setup. If you installed Word 2003 as an Upgrade or Typical setup, the Support Template is not installed.

To install the Support Template, follow these steps:  Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Add or Remove Programs. Click Change or Remove Programs. In the Currently installed programs list, click your version of Microsoft Office 2003 (for example, click Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003), and then click Change. Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Next. In Custom Setup, click to select the Choose advanced customization of applications check box, and then click Next. In the Choose update options for applications and tools list, follow these steps: <ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;"> Expand Microsoft Office Word.</li> Expand Wizards and Templates.</li> Click the icon for More Templates and Macros, and then click to select the Run all from my computer check box.</li></ol> </li> Click Update to install the Support Template.</li></ol>

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Create a Shortcut to the Support Template
To create a shortcut to the Support Template, follow these steps: <ol> Right-click anywhere on your desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut.</li> In the Create Shortcut dialog box, click anywhere in the Type the location of the item box, and then type the following default path statement:

&quot;C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Winword.exe&quot; /a &quot;C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Macros\Support.dot&quot;

Note If you installed Word 2003 in a different location, change the default file path accordingly.</li> Click Next to continue.</li> In the Type a name for this shortcut box, type Support Template, and then click Finish.</li></ol>

When you double-click the shortcut, Word starts in a default condition. The Support Template opens.

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Delete the Word Options Registry Key
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To delete the Options key, follow these steps:
 * 1) Quit all Office programs.
 * 2) Double-click the Support Template shortcut that you created in the Create a Shortcut to the Support Template section.
 * 3) In the Word 2003 Support Template, click Troubleshoot Utility.
 * 4) In the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box, click Options Registry Key in the Select an Item list, and then click Delete.
 * 5) Click OK when you receive the following message:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options Backup file for this registry key is present at: D:\DOCUME~1\username\LOCALS~1\Temp\wdoptn11.0

Registry key has been deleted.
 * 1) Click Close to close the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box.
 * 2) On the File menu, click Exit to quit Word.
 * 3) Start Word the way that you typically do.

Note Do not use the Support Template shortcut on your desktop in step 8.

If Word starts correctly and works correctly, you have resolved the problem. The problem was a damaged Options key. You may have to change several settings to restore your favorite options in Word.

If the problem is not resolved, quit Word and then add the Options key information back to the Windows registry. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Quit all Office programs.
 * 2) Double-click the Support Template shortcut that you created in the Create a Shortcut to the Support Template section.
 * 3) In the Word 2003 Support Template, click the Troubleshoot Utility button that is located in the table.
 * 4) In the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box, click Options Registry Key in the Select an Item list, and then click Restore.
 * 5) Click Yes when you receive the following message:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options

This key is present in the registry.

Overwrite it? ?
 * 1) Click OK when you receive the following message:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options

Registry key restoration successful.
 * 1) Click Close to close the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box.
 * 2) On the File menu, click Exit to quit Word.

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Keywords: kbRegistry kbHOWTOmaster KB822908

Technology: kbWord2003 kbWord2003Search kbWordSearch

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