Word templates not opening as new documents

the issue that you have that the files with a .dotm file extension are, for some reason, not being recognised by your system as Microsoft Word Macro-Enabled Templates as would normally be the case.

I agree with Doug's general assessment. Something has changed DOTM to not associate with Word.

Yes, using the process Doug explained will reassign Word to DOTM,

Personally, when I identify one problem with bad Windows file associations in Office apps, I prefer to do an Office Repair. Part of the repair process is to set all of the Office File Associations. It is much easier to do this and fix all hidden (that I hadn't YET identified) broken file associations.

I'd definitely do a repair before uninstalling Office.

Repair Office 365 / 2019 / 2016 / 2013 / 2010

Need to make sure that Word is installed correctly from the original installation CDs? You can do it by using a command built directly into Word.

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Here are some similar articles describing how to do Office Repairs for various versions of Office and Windows. Pick the one that easiest for you to understand

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Repair Office 365 / 2019-2010 on Win 10-Vista

https://support.office.com/en-US/Article/Repair-an-Office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b

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Repair Office 2013/2016 in Pictures (My WIKI)

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/wiki/office\_365hp-office\_install/repair-office-365-in-pictures/f09d64b7-cfcc-4d07-be0b-0c429682d01a

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Fast Microsoft 365 repair from the command prompt

https://office-watch.com/2020/fast-microsoft-365-repair-from-the-command-prompt/

If Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) is misbehaving, try the Repair option. If that’s also causing trouble, there’s a hidden command prompt option.

For any ‘Click to Run’ installations of Office for Windows (mostly Microsoft 365, Office 2019) there are Repair options available to fix common problems.

Among these troubles are an Office program won’t start properly or is missing from Start menu. It’s something worth trying before calling support or checking online for help.

I do not think that there has been any changes to security in respect of the folder containing macro enabled templates, as it has always been the case that to avoid seeing a macro security warning when creating a file from a macro enabled template, the template needed to be located in a location that was set as a Trusted Location under File>Options>Trust Center>Trust Center Settings>Trusted Locations in Word.

However, unfortunately, I do not think that setting that folder as a Trusted Location will have any impact on the issue that you have that the files with a .dotm file extension are, for some reason, not being recognised by your system as Microsoft Word Macro-Enabled Templates as would normally be the case.

If you go to the Windows Start and click on Settings and then on Apps and on the left hand side, click on Default apps and then scroll down to the Choose default applications by file type, and scroll down throug the list of file extensions, do you see the dotm item as shown below?

If not click on back (the arrow at the top left of the screen) and then on Default apps again and this time scroll down to, and click on the Reset button under Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults and see if that then causes the .dotm item to appear as shown above when you click on the Choose default applications by file type.

If you still do not see the .dotm item appearing as shown above, I think at this point, I would remove all traces of the Office installation by downloading the fixit from the following article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2739501

saving it to your computer and then running it.

Then, after re-starting your computer, reinstall Office by logging into www.office.com/myaccount with your registered email address and click Install Office.

BEFORE REMOVING THE OFFICE INSTALLATION,  MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO LOG INTO YOUR ACCOUNT AND THAT OFFICE IS ASSOCIATED WITH IT!

Thank you but does this address the .dotm issue. Is it related?

Did MS increase security requiring the dotm folder be listed as trusted, bypassing the config setting? No problem making changes but there is an Access db so I'll need the developer to help with that part.

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.

These macro security settings should almost never be set like this, especially on a computer connected to the Internet. You want your macros in Trusted places or from trusted publishers and they should run.

That .dotx templates work properly is important.

Do you think there's anything to this?