How do I prevent Word from redisplaying multiple minimized open documents when opening a new document?

Work-arounds

For problems with minimized windows that maximize when a new document is opened:

Solution #1: A macro can be created, which will close the current window and minimize all other open Word windows. After completing work on the new document -- make sure you save it first -- it will close by clicking a single quick access button and all other Word documents will be minimized.

The macro will ultimately appear as:

Sub FileCloseMinWord()

'

' FileCloseMinWord Macro

' Closes current file then minimizes other Word windows

'

    ActiveDocument.Close

    Application.WindowState = wdWindowStateMinimize

End Sub

For those not familiar with writing macros, below are instructions for recording a Macro, rather than using Visual Basic editing commands: [These instructions are for Word 2010 in Windows 7.]

Open a blank Word document

Click View tab

Click arrow under Macros (View Macros)

Click Record Macro

Enter in Macro name: FileCloseMinWord

Entry in [Store Macro in:] should read: All Documents

(Normal.dotm) for Macro to be available in all Word

documents

Enter in [Description:] Closes current file then minimizes

other Word windows

Under [Assign macro to] click [Button]

Choose Normal.NewMacros.FileCloseMinWord in left column

Click Add

Click Modify

Choose a button icon and modify the display name to

FileCloseMinWord

Click OK

Click OK in Word Options window

Click arrow under Macros, then click: Pause recording

(The next steps will add a button for minimizing Word

windows to the quick access toolbar in the upper left of

Word, which will make the command easier to include in a

macro; the button can be deleted later, if you wish, by

right-clicking it and selecting delete).

Click File, Options, then in left margin Quick Access

Toolbar

In left column, under [Choose Commands from:], click down

arrow, then All Commands

In left column, move slider down and choose Minimize All

Then click Add button

Click OK

Under View, Click arrow under Macros, then Resume Recorder

(you're now recording the text of the macro by entering

commands)

Under File, click close

Then click the button just created for minimizing word

windows (the window you're working in will minimize).

Select the window from the taskbar at bottom to maximize it

Click View, arrow under Macros, then Stop Recording

Click arrow under Macros, then View Macros

Select FileCloseMinWord

Click Edit

Select the line from the macro text:

Application.WindowState = wdWindowStateNormal

Right click and select Cut (this deletes the command to

maximize the windows)

The Macro will now read as follows:

Sub FileCloseMinWord()

'

' FileCloseMinWord Macro

' Closes current file then minimizes other Word windows

'

    ActiveDocument.Close

    Application.WindowState = wdWindowStateMinimize

End Sub

Under File, select Save Normal

Under File, select Close and return to Microsoft Word

Solution #2: Alternatively, a new button can be added to the quick access toolbar (at the top left of the Word window) to minimize all documents -- then choose from the taskbar (at bottom of desktop) to maximize only the desired document.

The creation of this quick access button is described above in the section on creating a Macro.

Solution #1 should work for those whose last document maximizes when a new document is opened.  Solution #2 should work for those who have all documents maximize when a new document is opened.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.  My Start Menu Properties dislogue box beside "Taskbar Buttons" was already set to "always combine, hide labels" so your solution doesn't work in my case.  I still experience the problem of a prior doc maximizing behind the one I just brought up.  So there must be another difference between your setup/registry and my default set up.  Hopefully, you can find it and let us know. Thanks again for trying.