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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

53 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2021-06-02T04:04:39+00:00

    Hi. Here is an important update.

    I don't usually use .dotx but just came across one. It functions as a template file should (while in the same folder as the .dotms) and has the correct icon. So the issue is just with macro enabled templates.

    "Trust access to VBA…" is checked. Macro security is set to lowest.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-06-01T03:47:25+00:00

    .dotm is already set to Word.

    See this odd entry below .dotm .DOTM_AUTO_FILE

    I am also seeing the templates in C:\Users\nickm\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates do not have the correct icon and only open the templates in edit mode.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2021-05-30T07:32:06+00:00

    The issue appears to be that the files with the dotm extension are not being recognised by your system as Word files.

    Go to Windows>Settings>Apps>Default apps and scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on choose default applications by file type and scroll down to the .dotm file extension and select Word as the Default application.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-05-30T04:09:58+00:00

    Hi Doug. I replied.

    Is there a file, folder or setting that can be copied from another machine in the same workgroup? Others don't have this problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2021-05-11T04:53:51+00:00

    Sorry for the delay.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments