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

Anonymous
2010-04-01T09:17:27+00:00

When I have multiple Word documents open, but minimized and I open an already created document, all of the minimized documents will get redisplayed (ie. maximized) to the screen.  Additionally, I believe the last edited document will be displayed on top and its listing on the start/task bar will begin flashing and it will not turn off until the flashing listing is clicked.  I then have to reminimize all of the documents and navigate to the document that I originally wanted open.

As a user, I would want all of the open minimized documents to remain minimized and the document that I'm opening to be presented without having to click anything on the start/task bar.

dmurf

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2012-08-11T17:55:48+00:00

Try this:  Right-click on the lower taskbar (the dark band that runs across the bottom of your screen), in an empty space, not on an icon.  You should see a small window open up that gives you different options for displaying the documents you are working on.  Cascade windows is sometimes helpful if you are going back and forth between different documents.  You can drag the edges of a document so that you can see two documents at the same time.  You just need to click on one to bring it more to the  front.  Stacked windows is another option.  Then you will see all of the documents at once.  That may be what you have had selected.  Side-by-side windows is another.  Experiment with these options.  It may help you.

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Anonymous
2010-04-01T21:52:51+00:00

A newly opened document will not cause other minimized or open Word documents to come to the front. But the newly opened document will not come to the front itself, it launches as an open window. 

The easiest way to eliminate that is by using keyboard shortcuts:

To minimize all the windows and get back to the desktop:        Windows + D

To open a new word blank document                              :       CTRL + N

To open a word document from a location                       :       CTRL + O        

There's an option under Word Options / Advanced / Display, named Show all windows in the taskbar. Turning it off hides all Word icons in the taskbar but one. This way the described behavior disappears but at the same time goes the ease of restoring a minimized document.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-08-14T07:35:52+00:00

    Well that doesn't help me known of the answers.

    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit OS

    With Word 2007.

    Now answer this question. No "no it shouldn't". No "go to advance".

    Just a straight forward answer to resolve the problem.

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

    Sheilah Say

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-04T20:52:17+00:00

    No worries...    copy your defalt values and command values into a text file, separated by the different key names, and save it before you change them.  Then you can change them back should you not be happy with the performance. 

     

    I find that my copy, cut, and paste functions are working fine...  even between open windows of Word.  See what you think...  then let us know.

     

    I must say that it sure is a pleasure not to chase maximized windows when opening a new document!!!  :-)

     

    SOLVED!

    OK, I tried it, saving my original values just in case.  I must say that so far, I'm quite amazed as it does seem to be working on my Windows XP SP3 PC with Office 2007!  How wonderful!  I'll have to see if I notice any subtle changes between programs in terms of DDE being disabled in Word.  I don't use advanced DDE functions (macros, Visual Basic, etc.) so I doubt there will be any issues.  Cutting and pasting seems to still be working fine for me as well!

    THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE FOR PROVIDING VARIOUS SOLUTIONS.  My case seemed to be one of the most difficult cases, since none of the other solutions seemed to work so I'm certainly glad this one does.  I hope this solution works for others that have had no luck so far as well!

    Glad to be of help Steve!   All:   If the answer was helpful to you, give it a bump so others will know it is a safe approach. 

    Thanks!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-08-04T05:47:40+00:00

    No worries...    copy your defalt values and command values into a text file, separated by the different key names, and save it before you change them.  Then you can change them back should you not be happy with the performance. 

     

    I find that my copy, cut, and paste functions are working fine...  even between open windows of Word.  See what you think...  then let us know.

     

    I must say that it sure is a pleasure not to chase maximized windows when opening a new document!!!  :-)

     

    SOLVED!

    OK, I tried it, saving my original values just in case.  I must say that so far, I'm quite amazed as it does seem to be working on my Windows XP SP3 PC with Office 2007!  How wonderful!  I'll have to see if I notice any subtle changes between programs in terms of DDE being disabled in Word.  I don't use advanced DDE functions (macros, Visual Basic, etc.) so I doubt there will be any issues.  Cutting and pasting seems to still be working fine for me as well!

    THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE FOR PROVIDING VARIOUS SOLUTIONS.  My case seemed to be one of the most difficult cases, since none of the other solutions seemed to work so I'm certainly glad this one does.  I hope this solution works for others that have had no luck so far as well!

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