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. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2021-04-24T23:30:17+00:00

    Hi Charles I have modified my post to remove any reference to the User Templates folder.

    I did however say:

    "If the "Practice Docs" folder is shared, it would be best to set it as the Workgroup Templates folder."

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-04-25T03:23:50+00:00

    I appreciate that you guys need to dot all of your eyes but... 

    Is it correct that office 365 users will no longer be able to open template files directly by Windows explorer?

    It's a huge inconvenience and so it would be helpful for all to know if that is our new reality. Thanks

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  3. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2021-04-25T07:52:27+00:00

    No, that is not correct.

    While you can right click on a template in the File Explorer and then click on Open to open the template, the default double-click active, which is shown in bold text is to create a new document from the template, which is what the users should normally be doing.

    Image

    Unless the user wants to make a modification to the template itself, they should NOT be opening it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-04-25T19:16:20+00:00

    This has been my main issue. It is not possible on my machine. The icons are not right since either a windows or office update. There is not a separate open and edit in the right click connect menu.

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  5. Charles Kenyon 171K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-04-25T19:50:55+00:00

    This has been my main issue. It is not possible on my machine. The icons are not right since either a windows or office update. There is not a separate open and edit in the right click connect menu. 

    This should NOT be the case.

    Try repairing office on your machine.

    Repair an Office application - Office Support

    I apologize if this has already been tried. This is a long thread, my memory is short.

    User Templates and Workgroup Templates are Word jargon, not ordinary English. They are important, designated, locations. These folders can have any name at all, but they are designated in Word's options. To Word they have special meanings and are given special privileges.

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