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How to Restore Microsoft Word Removed from the Start Menu
Question details
The user unpinned Microsoft Word from the Start menu and is now unable to find the application via Windows Search.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Trying to reopen Microsoft Word or restore its shortcut after accidentally removing it from the Start menu or Office folder.
- Observed behavior
- Searching for Word yields no results in the Start menu, leading to the assumption that the application was completely uninstalled.
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Windows PC, as you may need to access system folders or modify the Microsoft Office installation.
Locate winword.exe and Re-pin to Start Menu
Manually search for the Word executable file in your local drive to recreate the missing shortcut.
Unpinning an application only removes its shortcut, not the actual software. You can restore the shortcut by finding the main executable file in the default Microsoft Office installation folder.
Press the Windows Key + E to open File Explorer on your computer.
Go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16. If you are using a 32-bit version of Office on a 64-bit system, check C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 instead.
Scroll through the folder and locate the file named 'WINWORD.EXE'.
Right-click on 'WINWORD.EXE' and select 'Pin to Start' from the context menu. You can also select 'Pin to taskbar' for easier access.
Repair the Microsoft Office Installation
Use the built-in Windows repair tool if the Word executable is missing or corrupted.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
If your Microsoft Office installation is corrupted and repairing it is too time-consuming, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible suite for all your document needs without complex installations or subscription fees.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the suite.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly with full formatting preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does unpinning an app from the Start menu uninstall it?
No. Unpinning an app only removes its quick-access shortcut from the Start menu. The application itself, along with all your data, remains safely installed on your hard drive.
Why doesn't Microsoft Word show up in Windows search?
Windows search indexing might be experiencing a glitch, or the Word executable (winword.exe) may be corrupted. You can try restarting the Windows Search service or repairing your Microsoft Office installation to fix this.
Will repairing Office delete my Word documents?
No. Repairing or reinstalling Microsoft Office only affects the application files. Your personal documents, templates, and files saved on your local drive or OneDrive will not be deleted or altered.
