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

Static Sizes for Comment Boxes

Adding comments to your worksheet can be helpful in documenting what the worksheet contains. If you want to make sure ...

Discover More

Saving Documents as Read-Only by Default

When you save your documents, you can specify that they be saved in a "read-only" format so that they cannot be changed ...

Discover More

Ribbon Acting Strangely

The ribbon is the place where Word stores all the tools you need to work with your documents. What happens when the ...

Discover More

Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!

More WordTips (menu)

Saving Form Data for a Database

Use Word to create a form, and you can easily collect standardized data from a large number of users. When it comes time ...

Discover More

Removing Hidden Personal Information From a Document

Word maintains a few pieces of personal information with each document file you save. Getting rid of this information can ...

Discover More

Opening a Document as Read-Only in Windows Explorer

Want to open your Word document as read-only? Here's a little trick to help you accomplish the task from within Explorer.

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 8 + 2?

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.