How do I get rid of ribbons and go back to old office menus?

Anonymous
2011-06-02T20:48:28+00:00

I have just purchased Office 2010. Sorry Microsoft but I hate it. Worst update of a familiar software product I have seen for a long time (and have worked in IT industry for 25 years) Why? Its the changes that have been made to the menus and the introduction of those dreadful ribbons. I can't find anything and waste ages looking for what should be the most obvious functions. Am seriously considering un-installing 2010 and going back to use older version.

Before I do that thought might ask if there was way of making 2010 suite look and feel like older versions without just binning it and starting again.

Many thanks

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2011-06-04T08:36:45+00:00

The contributors to this forum are not Microsoft employees, do not speak for Microsoft and have little to no influence over Microsoft's design process. The reasons for the change to the ribbon have been well documented since its introduction, with the pre-release versions of Word 2007, at least 5 years ago and the arguments for and against have been waged ad nauseam in this and other forums and are resurrected time and again by late adopters - which is why, reasonable or not, Hans can say for certain that there will be no return to the menu driven structure of earlier versions. First and foremost this was a business decision to stimulate sales.

Microsoft's response to the demand for more hands-on user configuration has been to add a ribbon editor to Office 2010. There will be no patch to make Word 2010 use the interface of Word 2003.

The idea of a third party add-in, which attempts, but ultimately fails, to recreate the menu structure of Word 2003 is a cul-de-sac that ultimately will inhibit your ability to adapt to the new menu ribbon driven system. Better to fine tune the ribbon to your own requirements.

When I was first exposed to the ribbon - in Word 2007 - I can confirm that I too was annoyed at the change, and I did not like the change from 2007 to 2010 either, but now I use the latter all the time and only ever refer to the others for reference in connection with user support.

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HansV 462.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2011-06-02T21:20:14+00:00

It is possible to return to the old interface, but I seriously recommend taking a bit of time to get used to the ribbon, for the following reasons:

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  1. Charles Kenyon 170.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-08-22T21:24:11+00:00

    If you read through this thread you will find a way to get your familiar menus, on the Ribbon, if you want. You can even get rid of the entire Ribbon except your menus.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-08-22T19:33:16+00:00

    Well said! Give the user a choice. I too think the ribbon sucks (its only salvation is a highly customized mini-toolbar). It is not merely a matter of getting used to the ribbon and then suddenly, Eureka! "Oh how I love the ribbon!" No, the ribbon is crippling and inefficient. Return me the old toolbar and let me tweak it to my preference. I paid for the software and thus should be able to choose how I want it, otherwise I'll go elsewhere (e.g Softmaker Office or Libre Office). Other option: http://www.addintools.com/office2010/menutoolbar/index.htmlhttp://www.addintools.com/office2010/menutoolbar/

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-08T23:13:25+00:00

    Ha!  I do miss WordPerfect and would still be using it if our clients hadn't been lured to Word.  The file conversion didn't

    work well.  Need to take another look at WP Office.

    And I still insist on a rigorous discipline on file naming convention.  In fact when some Sharepoint gold partner notified me that folder and file names were irrelevant in the face of the mighty Sharepoint search engine, I tore up his

    consulting agreement and sent him off.  It was my first hint that Sharepoint was not for us. 

    I dont miss WP though...

    I totally agree with rigorous discipline on file naming. When an indexing feature does not work... well your logic can still find any file anywhere! I'm old school on that topic. Besides, it helps getting clarity in project management. Especially in professional team work (engineers, lawyers, etc) Nothing more frustrating than a:

    /.../theBigRiverDevelopment/BR Develop2010/BRdevPictures2010/00034.jpg

    or

    /.../OurProject/january2010/communication/Mark/sundayPToffer.docx

    or

    /.../i will spend as many characters as humanely possible/so that some third party software will hiccup and won't find me - EVER! ah and I am française and célébrate that fact/

    uggggggh!

    ;-)

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