This is NOT something you change in your Normal.dotm file.
You seldom want to open that file for editing and it should never have text or images in it. I will come back with more about comments.
Are you using Word 2021 in Windows?



The Normal.dot template is not used in any version of Word after Word 2004.

Display of comments is controlled under the Review tab.

The screenshot above shows my settings. You start by clicking on the dialog launcher in the corner of the markup group.

My settings show comments in balloons when there are any.
I do not enable "Modern Comments."

You would want to uncheck Comments in the options above.


Try having only one document open when you set these. Save and close the document and Word. I am guessing that the settings will then be active next time you open another document.

Stefan Blom is a regular contributor here and knows much more about Comments than I do.

I am changing your question title to better reflect the problem you are trying to solve.How to post a question on this MSOffice forum