Microsoft 365 Update

None of these worked

Hi NGDRB — if none of the ribbon display options worked, then it’s probably not just the Simplified/Classic Ribbon setting. It may be the newer Microsoft 365 visual refresh, and Microsoft usually does not provide a simple “go back to the old Word interface” switch for that.

First, confirm what changed​

1. Open Word.
2. Go to File > Account.
3. Look under About Word.
4. Note the Version, Build, and Update Channel.

Microsoft says the installed Microsoft 365 Apps version and update channel are shown under File > Account in an Office app.

If the ribbon looks too large or spaced out​

Try checking whether Word switched to touch spacing:

1. Right-click the Quick Access Toolbar area at the top.
2. Choose Customize Quick Access Toolbar.
3. Add Touch/Mouse Mode if it is available.
4. Select Mouse mode instead of Touch mode.
5. Restart Word.

If Word’s ribbon customization got scrambled​

Before resetting, you can export your settings:

1. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
2. Click Import/Export.
3. Choose Export all customizations.
4. Save the file somewhere safe.
5. Then click Reset > Reset all customizations.
6. Restart Word.

Undo: return to Customize Ribbon > Import/Export > Import customization file.

If you want the old look back completely​

The only real workaround is to roll back the entire Microsoft 365 Office build, not just Word’s ribbon. This is temporary and not ideal, because Office may update again, and staying on older builds can mean missing fixes and security updates. Microsoft specifically advises against staying on unsupported versions that no longer receive security updates.
If you want to try it anyway:

1. Create a restore point first: Start > search Create a restore point > Create.
2. Close all Office apps.
3. Open Word and go to File > Account > Update Options > Disable Updates.
4. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
5. Run:

cd "%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun"

1. Then run the rollback command using a previous build number:

OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.xxxxx.xxxxx

1. Replace 16.0.xxxxx.xxxxx with a real older build from the Microsoft 365 Apps update history page. Microsoft maintains the release/build list by channel.

Undo: go to Word > File > Account > Update Options > Enable Updates, then choose Update Now.

My recommendation​

Before rolling back, I’d suggest posting a screenshot of the new ribbon. It will help tell whether this is:

1. Simplified Ribbon
2. Collapsed Ribbon
3. Touch Mode
4. Microsoft 365 visual refresh
5. Word for the web interface change

If it is the visual refresh, there may simply not be a supported permanent way to restore the older classic look.

Thanks for the update It’s always good to see Microsoft improving stability and features in 365.

You’re welcome, longfreeware.
Microsoft 365 does get frequent feature and stability updates, but as NGDRB found, UI changes can sometimes be frustrating when they alter familiar workflows. For anyone affected, the best first check is still:

1. Open Word.
2. Go to File > Account.
3. Check the Version, Build, and Update Channel.
4. If needed, use Update Options to either update again or temporarily disable updates while troubleshooting.

Important: I generally wouldn’t recommend staying on an older Microsoft 365 build long-term, since that can leave Office without current fixes and security patches.