Getting Rid of the Startup Document

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.