Minimized Word Window

If you double-click on a document in Windows Explorer, Word is automatically started and your document is opened. In some instances, however, the Word program may be minimized. The first thing to suspect in this case is an AutoOpen macro. Check your document to see if there is such a macro present; if so, then you must delete the macro and save the file. The next time you open the file, Word should behave normally.

If Word is minimized when you first start it by choosing it from the Start menu, then it is due to a setting in Windows. To change this condition, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Start button. This displays a Context menu.
2. Choose Open from the Context menu. This displays a window containing your optional Start menu choices.
3. Double-click on the Programs folder. This opens a window showing the contents of the Program menu.
4. Explore through the folders available in the window until you locate the Microsoft Word icon. (If you cannot locate the Microsoft Word icon, close the window and repeat these steps with the exception of choosing Open All Users in step 2.)
5. Right-click on the Microsoft Word icon. This displays a Context menu.
6. Choose Properties from the Context menu. This displays the Properties dialog box for the Word shortcut.
7. Click on the Shortcut tab. (Click here to see a related figure.)
8. In the Run pull-down list, make sure Maximized is selected.
9. Click on OK to close the Properties dialog box.