Office Settings & Configuration

How to Make Microsoft Word Open a Blank Document by Default

Elise Williams Oct 15, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants Microsoft Word to launch directly into a blank document upon startup rather than displaying the Home or Start screen.

How to Make Microsoft Word Open a Blank Document by Default

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows 10
Scenario: Launching Word from the Windows 10 Start menu, a desktop shortcut, or the command line.
Observed behavior: The application opens the Home or Start screen requiring an extra click to start a blank document, instead of immediately creating a new blank document.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft Word installed and are not currently running any full-screen presentations or intensive macros that might interfere with accessing the Options menu.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable the Start Screen in Word Options

You can easily configure Word's general settings to skip the Start screen and directly open a blank document every time you launch the application.

This is the official and most straightforward method to change Word's startup behavior across normal desktop usage.

Open Microsoft Word

Launch Microsoft Word from your Start menu, taskbar, or desktop shortcut. If the Start screen appears, click on 'Blank document' to enter the main interface.

Navigate to Options

Click on the 'File' tab located in the top-left corner of the ribbon. At the bottom of the left-hand navigation pane, select 'Options' to open the Word Options dialog box.

Modify Startup Settings

In the Word Options window, ensure you are on the 'General' tab. Scroll down to the bottom to find the 'Start up options' section.

Clear the Start Screen Checkbox

Uncheck the box that says 'Show the Start screen when this application starts'. Click the 'OK' button to apply and save your changes.

Disable the Start Screen in Word Options

Setup Complete: The next time you open Microsoft Word, it will automatically bypass the Start screen and instantly load a blank document.

Solution 2

Use a Command-Line Switch to Open a Blank Document

If you want to bypass the Start screen only occasionally, you can modify a specific Word shortcut to force it to open a new instance directly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing this setting affect other Office apps like Excel or PowerPoint?

No, the 'Show the Start screen when this application starts' setting in Word Options only applies to Microsoft Word. You will need to configure this setting individually within the Options menus of Excel and PowerPoint if you want them to bypass the Start screen as well.

Why does my Word shortcut still open the Start screen after changing the setting?

If Word is launched by a third-party add-in (like VSTO add-ins) or a specialized shortcut with specific programmatic startup parameters, it might override your general settings. Try launching Word directly from the Windows Start menu to verify if the setting was applied correctly.

Can I set Word to open a specific customized template by default instead of a blank document?

Yes. By replacing or modifying the default 'Normal.dotm' template found in your Microsoft Templates folder with your custom styles, Word will load your preferred layout and formatting whenever a blank document is automatically created.

Will I lose my recent documents list if I disable the Start screen?

No, your recent documents will still be tracked and saved. You can access them at any time by clicking on 'File' and selecting the 'Open' tab, where all your recently viewed files will be securely listed.

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