Word templates not opening as new documents

Anonymous
2020-11-17T00:37:36+00:00

This happened after a recent Windows update.

I've seen this issue written about and have tried the suggested solutions without luck.  First tried quick repair and then full reinstall of office 365. Also set related registry entries to "new."

All templates are just opening as .dotm instead of .docm or .docx.  Any other troubleshooting steps available?

[Moved from  Word/Windows 10/Microsoft 365 Apps or Office 365 Business]

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-11-18T06:53:43+00:00

    Hi Nicholas,

    Thank you for posting back.

    I understand the issue is that when you double click a .dotm template, it opens as the template itself with .dotm file format, it seems you cannot find Edit or Open option when right click the template.

    I have tested in Current Channel of Word, version 2010(Build 13328.20356), I navigate to the template folder in File Explorer, when I double click a .dotm template, it opens as a new document which name is Document1 and file format is .docx. I can find Edit and Open option with right-click, but only using Edit option will open the template in a new document.

    Your Office version is a bit different from mine, to confirm the details and ensure we are testing in same Office, could you please share a screenshot as below?

    Besides, it seems you modified the default personal templates location so the templates are not in 

    C:\Users[username]\Documents\Custom Office Templates

    If it's convenient, just a test, you may try to copy one of the templates and paste to this location, check if same issue appears.

    And you mentioned the issue starts after a Windows update. What's your current Windows version?

    Best Regards,

    Tina

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-11-19T04:06:54+00:00

    Windows 10 Pro Version 10.0.18363 Build 18363

    I already gave the Office version number.

    Opening the template file from the path you gave did not change the result.  Does the different appearance of my template icons not indicate a problem?

    [PII is removed by forum moderator]

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-11-19T06:07:50+00:00

    Hi Nicholas,

    Yes the different appearance of the Word template icon should be a problem.

    Considering you are using Office apps with Microsoft 365 personal subscription, we will help you move this thread to the dedicated category, engineers there will help you further troubleshoot the issue.

    Thanks for your patience and understanding.

    Best Regards,

    Tina

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-12-01T21:06:30+00:00

    This the new MS norm?  Update OS, break millions of machines and ignore.  You idiots also wrecked our Access application nearly putting us out of business.

    Maybe this thread can be locked since it seems to have the standard MS resolution.

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