Normal.dot What is it & what does it do when corrupt.

[Tom]

What is this file and is it needed in windows XP. I have heard that when it
is corrupt it can spread havoc in your system.

Would appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Tom D.

 

[RobertVA]

Default document template for Microsoft Word. That file commonly contains
the default margins and font settings and can be replaced with a template
containing things like a letterhead or your favorite letter format..
Normal.dot loads automaticly when Word is started directly (not when opening
by clicking on a Word document) or when creating a new document with the
Word toolbar icon. If someone replaces your normal.dot file they could
include a Visual BASIC for Applications (VBA) macro that could do mischief
in your system. Most people routinely set Word to NOT automaticly execute
macros when a document or document template is loaded to reduce the risk
from such exploits. Some antivirus software also has features to reduce Word
macro virus risks.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

What is this file and is it needed in windows XP. I have heard that
when it is corrupt it can spread havoc in your system.

Would appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Tom D.

In addition to Robert's information.

If the Normal.dot file does become corrupted, you can simply delete the
file. It will be replaced the next time you start Word. You will also need
to reset your document defaults like font, margins, etc.

--
Regards,

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://www.mvps.org

 

[Courtney]

Default document template for Microsoft Word. That file commonly contains
the default margins and font settings and can be replaced with a template
containing things like a letterhead or your favorite letter format..
Normal.dot loads automaticly when Word is started directly (not when opening
by clicking on a Word document) or when creating a new document with the
Word toolbar icon. If someone replaces your normal.dot file they could
include a Visual BASIC for Applications (VBA) macro that could do mischief
in your system. Most people routinely set Word to NOT automaticly execute
macros when a document or document template is loaded to reduce the risk
from such exploits. Some antivirus software also has features to reduce Word
macro virus risks.

Actually, that is not correct. Normal.dot is always loaded first, regardless of
what else is run. You see, the other templates are based on the normal.dot
template, so it needs to be loaded first. So, if you double-click on a Word
document, Word will load normal.dot first (creating the toolbars) then load the
document, merging any template it finds with the normal.dot loaded.

Clearing a problem with the normal.dot is easy. Delete it. Word will create it
again the very next time it starts.

courtney sends....