Unfortunately, Word thoughtfully ignores the Registry tweak (thanks, Bill), so here's a Word how-to: Click Tools, Customize, and in the dialog, choose Keyboard. In Categories, scroll to and click All Commands, and in the Command panel, select "Overtype." Highlight "Insert" in the Current keys box, click Remove, and click Close until the dialog windows close. To reset the Insert key in Word, repeat the above steps, but after you select "overtype," select the "Press new shortcut key," hit the Insert key, click "Assign," and click Close until the dialog windows close.

--Steve Bass