Microsoft KB Archive/821713

= How to troubleshoot Office Word 2003 by deleting the Word Data registry key =

PSS ID Number: 821713

Article Last Modified on 9/2/2004

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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



IN THIS TASK

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



SUMMARY
This step-by-step article describes how to delete the Word Data registry key from the registry so that the Word Data registry key is not loaded when you start Microsoft Office Word 2003.

Most of the frequently used options are stored in the Word Data registry key. (To view options, click Options on the Tools menu.) A common troubleshooting step is to delete the Word Data registry key. Word rebuilds the Word Data registry key by using the default settings the next time that you start the program.

Note If you delete the Word Data registry key, Word resets several options to their default settings, such as the most recently used file list on the File menu and many settings that you customize in the Options dialog box.

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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 Microsoft Office 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:
 * 1) Right-click anywhere on your desktop, point to New, and then click Shortcut.
 * 2) Click Browse.
 * 3) 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.
 * 1) Click Next to continue.
 * 2) In the Type a name for this shortcut box, type Support Template, and then click Finish.

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

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Delete the Word Data Registry Key
To delete the Word Data registry key, follow these steps.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.
 * 1) Quit all Office programs.
 * 2) Double-click the Support Template shortcut on your desktop.
 * 3) In the Support Template, click Troubleshoot Utility.
 * 4) In the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box, click Data 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\Data

Backup file for this registry key is present at:

C:\DOCUME~1\username\LOCALS~1\Temp\wddata11.0

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

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

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

If the problem is not resolved, restore your old Word Data registry key. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Quit all Office programs.
 * 2) Double-click the Support Template shortcut on your desktop.
 * 3) In the Word 2003 Support Template, click Troubleshoot Utility.
 * 4) In the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box, click Data 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\Data

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\Data

Registry key restoration successful.
 * 1) Click Close to close the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box, and then quit Word.

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Keywords: kbHOWTOmaster KB821713

Technology: kbWord2003 kbWord2003Search kbWordSearch

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