Microsoft Word - I think I have made changes to the Normal template?

Used to be if you deleted it, word would create a new default one.

It's why if you were writing a lot of macros or vba you didn't store it in the normal template.

Tick the box next to "Ruler" under View tab

Did you try deleting the normal.dot

Yes, but this should revel vertical ruler that should show you where your margins actually are.
You can modify it(normal.dotm) by editing and saving it. Right click on it(not doubleckilck) »Open

C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates

Never done "delete" normal template trick and cant comment, but perhaps worth a shot - worse you just reinstall office, or…

If there is another user on PC, wonder - could it not be copied from their profile <AppData> and replaced in yours ?
Create another user(you local admin , right?) , sign-in (profile will be created), sign out, back to your profile, copy/paste.

@Flinty997 as per screenshot posted ( user created 2016, never actually used) - it does, just never attempted to copy template. should work i think
let @Geuze be our test rabbit :D

Type

%appdata%\Microsoft\Templates

Into the address bar in Windows explorer.

It's now called normal.dotm

Google it

Close word. All instances.

Then Delete the normal template.

Opening a template document is a completely different event object then creating a new doc. It's also not the same as deleting it. So it's not been tested, as a means of cleaning all settings and preferences.

Anyway if some reason you don't want to do that. I asked AI

AI Overview

If the margins in your new Word documents are not displaying, it's likely that the "Show white space between pages" option is disabled. To fix this, go to File > Options > Display and check the box next to "Show white space between pages in Print Layout view". Alternatively, you can also double-click on the boundary between pages in Print Layout view to toggle the visibility of the white space, according to Microsoft Support.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Verify View: Ensure you are in Print Layout view. This is the view that displays page margins correctly.

Access Word Options: Click on File > Options.

Display Settings: In the Word Options dialog box, select Display from the left-hand menu.

Enable White Space: Locate the "Show white space between pages in Print Layout view" checkbox and check it.

Confirm: Click OK to save the changes.

Double-Click Method: If you prefer a quicker method, move your mouse pointer to the top or bottom edge of a page until it turns into a double-sided arrow. Then, double-click to show or hide the white space.

I assume the double click was tried earlier when it was suggested.