Office Settings & Configuration

How to Remove the Show Print Preview Button in Microsoft Office

Steve K Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users want to remove an extra 'Show Print Preview' button that suddenly appears before the actual print preview loads.

How to Remove the Show Print Preview Button in Microsoft Office

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to print a document and encountering an unexpected, extra step to view the print preview.
Observed behavior: A 'Show Print Preview' button appears instead of loading the print preview automatically, adding an unwanted extra click to the printing workflow.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Office application is closed before checking for system updates, and verify if the issue occurs across all Office apps (like Word and Excel) or just one.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Microsoft Office and Restart

Since this behavior is likely a recent bug or rolled-out feature change by Microsoft, installing the latest patches may resolve the issue.

Microsoft frequently releases updates to address UI glitches and functional bugs. Forcing a manual update can bypass the issue if a fix has already been deployed.

Open Office Account Settings

Open any Office application like Word or Excel, click on 'File' in the top left corner, and select 'Account' (or 'Office Account' depending on your version).

Check for Updates

Click on the 'Update Options' drop-down menu located next to the Office Updates section and select 'Update Now'.

Restart the Application

Once the updates are downloaded and installed, close all Office applications completely. Reopen your document and navigate to File > Print to see if the preview loads automatically.

Update Availability: If you are using a corporate machine, your IT department might manage these updates, and the 'Update Now' button may be missing.

Solution 2

Report the Issue via Microsoft 365 Admin Center

If updating doesn't work, this UI change might be a persistent service issue that requires direct intervention from Microsoft support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Seamless, Bug-Free Printing Experience

Tired of unexpected UI changes and extra clicks in Microsoft Office? WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative with a streamlined, familiar interface where print previews load instantly.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office documents seamlessly.
3. Print without Hassle: Press Ctrl+P or go to File > Print to view your print preview instantly without any extra buttons.

Instant print previews without extra 'Show Print Preview' clicks.High compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Familiar tabbed interface that requires zero learning curve.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on older devices.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the 'Show Print Preview' button suddenly appear?

This button usually appears due to a recent Microsoft Office update, a glitch in the background rendering engine, or a gradual feature rollout by Microsoft that inadvertently adds an extra step before loading the preview.

Can I disable the 'Show Print Preview' button in Office settings?

Currently, there is no direct toggle in the standard Word or Excel options to specifically disable this button. Your best approach is to ensure your Office suite is fully updated to the latest build, which often patches these UI anomalies.

Does this print preview issue affect all Microsoft 365 users?

Not necessarily. It appears to be a targeted rollout or a bug affecting specific builds and update channels of Microsoft 365. While many users have reported it on community forums, it may not appear on every computer.

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