MicrosoftPresumably every time you close a Word file down and open a new one this happens. Perhaps keeping one Word doc open may work (not tested that myself, yet).
For now, I've created a *.reg file on my desktop, using Notepad, called 'Esc_word.reg' and will run it as I need it.
You can call your file whatever you want, as long as it's *.reg (you will have to select "All Files" when saving and add the '.reg', otherwise you will have a txt file).
Open Notepad and type the following, without the dashes (which demarcate the required text):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Windows Registry Editor Version x.yz
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\ExperimentConfigs\FirstSession\word]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\ExperimentConfigs\Ecs\word]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The blank line after x.yz is *important*, and x.yz should be the version of regedit you have.
If you've backed up/exported the offending key(s) then you can choose Edit to look at that file you will see your regedit version number at the top. In my case this is 5.00
So, when you open Word and notice the new communications instead of old comment style, run the .reg file, close down the offending Word file and reopen it and you should have old comments style (I do).
Best I can do until something better comes along.
