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
    2012-11-30T05:15:40+00:00

    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.

    My god, it's unbelievable what one has to go through sometimes to get Microsoft's attention.  I hope that actually follow through.  Thanks so much for taking the time to push them!

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-03T23:09:04+00:00

    I too have this issue running Windows 7x64SP1 and Office 2010 x64.  You'll be glad to know that I do not have this problem with my Win 7x64sp1 and Office 2013 version.  When I click to open another word doc it opens to the template menu where I select "Blank".  I wonder if we could somehow have Office 2010 open to the template menu?  Maybe that would solve the issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-07T16:57:38+00:00

    Just spent an hour reading searching and reading these 7 pages and just to add to the discussion ...

    I've been using Word 2008 for Mac the last three years, and I've had a similar problem BUT it only started in the last few months, sometime late last year. Here's my wrinkle:

    When try to open multiple Word files from those I am working on and have minimized, the last one opened doesn't necessarily stay on top. Often it will open and then immediately be covered up by the document that was top in the window beforehand.

    I say "often" because there is no rhyme or reason to it. Sometime is happens, sometimes not, and it never happens if I open a new file. That stays on top. Here's three examples I just did with five files I named A, B, C, D and E, each with a different result after all were minimized:

    Example 1: Maximize A, then B, B's on top. Maximize C, A moves to the top. Maximize D, D's on top. Maximize E, D moves to the top.

    Example 2: Maximize A, then B, B's on top. Maximize C, A moves to the top. Maximize D, this time C moves to the top. Maximize E, D moves to the top.

    Example 3: Maximize A, then B, B's on top. Maximize C, C's on top. Maximize D, C moves to the top. Maximize E, E stays on top.

    As you can see, it's random. I've had the open file move to the top when just maximizing one minimized file (B over A) in the past. What's more, each time an older, open file jumps to the top, the entire order is shuffled. Look at the last example. After the last document, E, was opened, the order of open files should have beebn E-C-D-B-A. But when I minimized them again, the actual order was E-D-C-A-B.

    I have no clue what's happening, and even more frustrating is that is wasn't always this way, which makes me think a Microsoft Update was the cuplrit. The only way I can assure the file I want is on top is to make sure ALL are minimized before clicking on the one I want.

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