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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

208 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-05-22T20:08:17+00:00

    I think this has more to do with a fundamental of the app itself rather than literally an inherent bug.  Notice how when you have multiple Excel files minimized, clicking any one will unminimize all with the one you clicked in front.  It's not a hassle since all are in the same Excel workspace, with only one instance of Excel running.  It's the same in Word, only one instance is running, but the difference is they each have an individual workspace.  This apparently is complicating resolving the issue, especially since both Word and Aero have influence.  But it does seem like it can't be that hard to fix, since this ridiculously-irritating action is avoided when Taskbar buttons is set to "Never combine".  Definitely not ideal, but all we have until MS can fix it.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-05-05T05:55:57+00:00

    Thanks David.  I appreciate you taking the time to do this with Microsoft however I have absolutely no confidence that they will ever bother to post an official response.  If they do, I will be pleasantly surprised.  They have not bothered to reply with an explanation or solution for years now!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-05-04T21:30:23+00:00

    Below is a copy of my post from late 2012, which I think still addresses the current state of this problem (though Microsoft support never did post an official response after I spoke with them). -- david.nc

    david.nc replied on

    -

    Since I bought Office 2010 recently, I was able to obtain Microsoft tech support for this question while under warranty.

    After working on the problem for many hours with level 1 and 2 technicians, I was ultimately transferred to level 3 support.

    My version of the problem involves Word 2010 maximizing one previously minimized file behind any new Word file that I open.

    After looking into it, the level 3 person explained that opening a prior file occurred BY DESIGN in Word 2010.  He said he believed it was part of the document recovery function.  He also confirmed that it happened on his computer at Microsoft and it happened as well on the not-yet-released Word 2013 program that he could access.

    He did agree it could be annoying and was perhaps unnecessary and said he would forward the problem to team that designs Word.  I did show him that Open Office (a competitor) does have a recovery function and does not open minimized windows unnecessary.  Also, I provided him the link to this discussion, and he said someone from Microsoft would post an official reply in coming days.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments