Set default compatibility mode on file creation: registry value compatmodeUserHKCU\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options

Policy ID: L_SetDefaultCompatibilityModeOnFileCreation
Scope: User Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
Source: Microsoft 365 Apps / Office Administrative Templates (version 5568.1000)
Category: Microsoft Word 2016 › Word Options › Save

Registry

compatmode

REG_DWORDUser

HKCU\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: -

Options
Item	Stored value
Word 2003	11
Word 2007	12
Word 2010	14
Full functionality mode	15

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options]

; Options (use only one)
; Word 2003
"compatmode"=dword:0000000b
; Word 2007
"compatmode"=dword:0000000c
; Word 2010
"compatmode"=dword:0000000e
; Full functionality mode
"compatmode"=dword:0000000f

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Word 2003
reg add "HKCU\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options" /v "compatmode" /t REG_DWORD /d 11 /f
:: Word 2007
reg add "HKCU\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options" /v "compatmode" /t REG_DWORD /d 12 /f
:: Word 2010
reg add "HKCU\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options" /v "compatmode" /t REG_DWORD /d 14 /f
:: Full functionality mode
reg add "HKCU\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options" /v "compatmode" /t REG_DWORD /d 15 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKCU:\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Word 2003
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options' -Name 'compatmode' -PropertyType DWord -Value 11 -Force | Out-Null
# Word 2007
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options' -Name 'compatmode' -PropertyType DWord -Value 12 -Force | Out-Null
# Word 2010
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options' -Name 'compatmode' -PropertyType DWord -Value 14 -Force | Out-Null
# Full functionality mode
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options' -Name 'compatmode' -PropertyType DWord -Value 15 -Force | Out-Null