How to Fix Word 2013 Not Starting from the Desktop Shortcut
Question details
Users are unable to launch Microsoft Word 2013 using the desktop shortcut, often receiving a configuration error message.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2013
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to open the Word application directly from the Windows desktop shortcut instead of opening a specific document file.
- Observed behavior
- Word 2013 fails to start from the shortcut and displays a message stating the application is not configured to run, even though individual document files can still be opened successfully.
Before proceeding with the repair process, save any open work in other Office applications and verify that you have administrative privileges on your computer, as these are required to modify the Office installation.
Repair the Office Installation via Control Panel
Use the built-in Windows Programs and Features utility to repair your Office installation and restore the shortcut functionality.
Running the Office Repair tool can fix broken registry keys and file associations that prevent shortcuts from launching correctly without affecting your personal documents.
Press the Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Type 'appwiz.cpl' into the Run box and press Enter or click OK to open the Programs and Features window.
Scroll through the list of installed programs, locate Microsoft Office 2013, click on it to select it, and then click 'Change' from the top menu bar.
Select 'Repair' (or 'Online Repair' for a more thorough reinstallation if the standard repair fails) and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.
Once the repair is complete, restart your computer and double-click the Word 2013 desktop shortcut to verify that the application launches normally.
Use WPS Office as a Reliable Alternative to Word 2013
If Microsoft Office 2013 continues to experience configuration errors or shortcut issues, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and completely free alternative to Microsoft Word that installs quickly without complex registry configurations.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer and follow the quick setup wizard.
- 2. Set as Default: During installation, easily set WPS Office as your default application for all Word document formats.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Simply double-click your existing .docx files or use the reliable WPS desktop shortcut to start writing immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word 2013 open documents but not launch from the shortcut?
This typically happens when the specific shortcut path or its associated registry keys become corrupted, often due to aggressive registry cleaners, interrupted updates, or conflicts with other software. The document file associations remain intact, which is why opening a file directly still works.
What is the difference between Quick Repair and Online Repair in Office 2013?
Quick Repair works offline and replaces missing or corrupted files quickly by scanning the local installation. Online Repair completely uninstalls and reinstalls the Office suite, requiring an active internet connection. It takes longer but is more effective for severe errors.
How can I recreate the Word 2013 desktop shortcut manually?
You can manually create a new shortcut by navigating to 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15' (or 'Program Files (x86)' for 32-bit versions), locating the 'WINWORD.EXE' file, right-clicking it, selecting 'Send to', and then choosing 'Desktop (create shortcut)'.
