What is the normal.dot file?

Updated: 08/31/2020 by Computer Hope

Microsoft Word

The normal.dot file is the Microsoft Word template that is used to store the default settings such as font, font size, content of a file, etc. It is used with each of the Microsoft Word files you lot open. The normal.dot file tin be useful if you observe yourself having to adjust the font type, font size, or other settings each fourth dimension you open Microsoft Give-and-take.

Where is the normal.dot file located?

The location of the normal.dot file depends on your version of Microsoft Give-and-take or Microsoft Office and how you've installed it. Withal, this file is ever located in the template directory. A mutual location for the template directory is shown below.

C:\Documents and settings\<username>\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates

How do I alter the normal.dot file?

Open the normal.dot file and alter the settings you want to adjust. For example, if you desire the default font size to be fourteen each time you open Microsoft Word open up the normal.dot file alter the font size to fourteen and save the document.

I mistakenly overwrote the normal.dot file

If you've saved some other file over the normal.dot, each fourth dimension you open Microsoft Give-and-take, that document will be opened. For example, if you've saved a document with "test" in the contents of the file, each time y'all open a new Microsoft Word document, "examination" is shown.

To correct this consequence, delete the contents of the normal.dot file and save the file. Alternatively, you can follow the steps listed in the normal.dot file is corrupted section below.

Is this file a virus?

Near probable no. However, like any file on the reckoner, the normal.dot file can get infected by a virus. In the past, there were viruses that targeted and infected this file. If you believe your computer is infected with a virus, run an antivirus scan on the file.

  • How practise I remove a virus and malware from my computer?

The normal.dot file is corrupted

This file tin become corrupted considering of improper user or software modification. If yous believe this file is corrupted, y'all can follow the steps below.

  1. Click Start and click Search, and select Files or folders.
  2. In the Observe window, select All files and folders, if prompted.
  3. In the File name field, blazon normal.dot and press Enter.
  4. Once the file is located, right-click the file and click Rename.
  5. Rename the file to normal.onetime and press Enter.

Note

If the Search is not finding any files, information technology's likely Windows is not searching for hidden files. In the Search window, click the More Advanced Options and make sure there is a check in the Search hidden files and folders box.