In some cases, the Microsoft Office Genuine Advantage Validation Tool is not installed. Office diagnostics does not detect this condition.
Visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=030fae9c-704f-48ca-971d-56241aefc764&displaylang=en&tmNOTE: That is just some random add-in that starts the validation process. Actually, it is Microsoft Math for Word and it is neat.
Proceed to validate (you do not have to proceed with downloading the add-in if you do not want to).
Once validation is complete and you are genuine, go ahead and try to download the templates. I did not have to restart Word - it just worked after performing the above. If this does not work for you, you may have a more severe problem.
I encountered this problem with my legitimate Windows Vista "Ultimate" (yes, with QUOTES), and my legitimate Microsoft Office Professional 2007. Wow, Genuine Advantage truly protected me and saved the day.
Microsoft, you owe me 19 minutes.
Please reply in this thread if this helped.
EDIT: OK, Found a better link -
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.aspx look to the right, and click on VALIDATE OFFICE.