Changing the settings for Normal

My computer just came back from the shop, as it had viruses. Now I see that the Normal template does not show the paragraph symbols and the tab symbols. I prefer to have them showing so I can be sure that I have enough line spaces etc in my letters. Also the Normal template is in Times New Roman 12 font. I like Times New Roman, but none of the doctors I type want a 12 font. They all use 11 or 10. I would like the Normal template to be changed in the above settings, but from past experience, I think when I change the Normal template, I will lose all the autocorrect and autotext entries. (I have not added them in such a way that I can trust they will restore properly) I sometimes forgot that you cannot leave any spaces in your autocorrect entries (at least in the left-hand column). I am wondering if I should just open a new document in Word (XP) and make the changes and then set them as the default. Will this work?