Word for Mac - Track Changes is now on by default in all new documents - help!

[GettingFrustrated1]

How do I change it so that track changes isn't automatically on every time I open a new document? Word for Mac 2016 I think

Thank you

1. Open Word for Mac 2016.
2. Create a New Document:

• Go to File > New Document to open a new blank document.

1. Turn Off Track Changes:

• Go to the Review tab.
• Click on Track Changes to turn it off if it's currently enabled.

1. Save the Document as a Template:

• Go to File > Save As Template.
• In the Save As dialog box, make sure the file format is set to Word Template (.dotx).
• Name your template (e.g., "DefaultTemplate.dotx").
• Save the template in the default location for Word templates.

1. Set the New Template as the Default:

• Go to File > New from Template.
• Find and select the template you just created.
• Click Create to open a new document based on this template.
• Go to Word > Preferences.
• In the Preferences dialog box, select File Locations.
• Set the User Templates location to the folder where your new template is saved.

By following these steps, your new documents should no longer have Track Changes enabled by default.

Wow, thank you so much! I was able to follow your steps until 'Find and select the template you just created' as it wasn't there - but I was able to search for the UserTemplates folder, delete the current Normal.dotm and rename DefaultTemplate to Normal.dotm, and now it works! No more track changes. I have no idea why that changed in the first place but thank you for your help!