Can't delete ~$normal.dot

[Dan]

I have Word 2003 and have two normal.dot files.
One is normal.dot and a second is ~$normal.dot which I assume is corrupt.
After doing a search for normal.dot both versions appear. I delete
~$normal.dot. However when I open Word after deleting ~$normal.dot it
reappears. How can I permanently delete this corrupt file?

~ Dan

 

[Jay Freedman]

I have Word 2003 and have two normal.dot files.
One is normal.dot and a second is ~$normal.dot which I assume is corrupt.
After doing a search for normal.dot both versions appear. I delete
~$normal.dot. However when I open Word after deleting ~$normal.dot it
reappears. How can I permanently delete this corrupt file?

~ Dan

Leave it alone. It is not a copy of normal.dot, and it isn't corrupt. It's a
standard part of how Word operates, and there is no reason to delete it. Read
the part of http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=211632 about "owner files".

 

[Dan]

Problem is Word keeps hanging when I open it and when I try to close a
document it takes forever. Plus on numerous occasions after closing a
document I get a message saying changes have been made to the global
template, do you want to save the changes, etc. followed by another message
about the normal file.
Something is clearly wrong.
Thoughts?

~ Dan

 

[Graham Mayor]

Getting a prompt to save normal.dot is quite normal when things have changed
that may affect the normal template. This is especially the case after a
change of the time in Windows to daylight saving time. Confirm the option to
save the normal template. If that doesn't fix it, see
http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm then
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProblemsStartingWord.htm.

--
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Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

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[Jay Freedman]

Further, if you haven't knowingly made changes that affect normal.dot, the
message usually means you have a problem with an add-in. Read
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011514521033.aspx, which extends
the procedures in the ProblemsStartingWord article.