Getting Rid of the Startup Document

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated December 27, 2011)

Every time you start Word from the Start button or, in older versions of Windows, the Program Manager, the program is started with a blank document. This is great if you are ready to start a new file. Most people, however, find themselves working with the same files over and over. If you are tired of closing that opening document every time you start Word, then follow these steps in Windows:

  1. Using the desktop browser, display the folder containing the shortcut used to start Word.
  2. Right-click on the shortcut icon. This displays a Context menu for the shortcut.
  3. Select the Properties option from the Context menu. This displays the shortcut's Properties dialog box.
  4. Click on the Shortcut tab.
  5. At the end of the Target field, add the following: /n (If there are quote marks surrounding the text in the Target field, makes sure you place the /n outside the quote marks.) There should be a space just in front of the slash.
  6. Click on OK.

Once this change is made, whenever you start Word there will be no blank document.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (155) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Adding Addresses To a Set of Address Labels

Got a bunch of pages labels and you need to insert a label into the middle of the bunch? This isn't easy to do in Word, ...

Discover More

Limiting Searching to a Column

When you use Find and Replace, Excel normally looks through all the cells in a worksheet. You may want to limit the ...

Discover More

Contractions Flagged as Incorrect

Word, in its never-ending quest to second-guess and try to improve your writing, may be marking your contractions as ...

Discover More

Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!

More WordTips (menu)

Changing Information in Multiple Documents

If you need to change text in many documents at the same time, Word isn't the best tool to use. Here's some ideas on ways ...

Discover More

Delays when Double-Clicking a Document Icon

Do you notice delays when you double-click a document icon, perhaps on your desktop? If you are confused by such delays ...

Discover More

Mass Search and Replace

If you need to change information in dozens or even hundreds of documents, the task can seem insurmountable. Here's a way ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 9 - 5?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.