When you open Word (by whatever means) it loads Normal.dot.
This file is commonly found in:
C:\Documents and Settings\
user_name\Microsoft\Templates
However, there can be other locations that have it as well.
If you want to have a custom layout for documents, it is better to make your own templates, and use those.
If you want to have them load automatically, then you can use them as global templates, and these are found in the Startup folder.
Either for ALL users of the computer:
C:\Progam Files\Office\Startup (may be slightly different for your version)
Or, a automatical global load for a specific user:
C:\Documents and Settings\
user_name\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP
Gerry
My paintings and sculpture