What properties are you trying to change? Normal.dot does not store all
changes, some are stored in the registry. However, it is not usually
necessary to open normal.dot itself.
If you are changing the default font or paper sizes, you go to Format |
Font, select the font and parameters required and then press the DEFAULT
button at the bottom of the dialog. When you close Word, you will be
prompted to Save changes to the Global template (but make sure that under
Tools | Options | Save tab that the Prompt to save changes to normal is
checked). This is similar for changing paragraph defaults (for normal style)
or page settings.
Terry