INSTALL S/W as an ADMINISTRATOR (Score 1)

With all the versions of Win NT/2000/XP/whatever's next..., one thing which hasn't changed that usually seems to help, is to ALWAYS make sure that you are logged in as the local Administrator when you install or configure software, and that you then test it by logging in as a mere mortal (i.e., a user). Ok. Network Admin mode is fine too, but local Admin mode (this is the first account that is setup when the OS was installed) is the one to use - it's the most relevant in a non-networked installation (most typical residential setups). This gives the best chance of ensuring that the program is installed properly, with proper security permissions applied throughout all program files, directories, and temporary workspace paths. So, although it doesn't give clueless developers a 'get out of jail free card' if they overly complicate a simple install with byzantine logic, it will usually make your life easier if you are grappling with a difficult to diagnose program installation issue. BTW... this strategy assumes that software is installed as an Admin, and run as a User (Yes it's true- I am a dreamer).

So to recap: Install Word as an Admin, and select the "Run all programs from this computer" option. If it still doesn't satisfy the 'auto-feature-install thingy', then login (again!) as an Admin and do the same thing to trigger the feature installation routine. You shouldn't have to keep re-installing this crap every time Word tries to use the feature.
Ok. If all of this fails, you might have to a) login as Admin & add the user to the Local Administrator's group (temporarily). Then logout and back in as the User, & then let the feature install thing run one last time. But that should be it. Then remove the user from the LA group.

Disclaimer: I am NOT a big Word or Microsoft fan!