Microsoft Word is in safe mode - how correct it?

[Bonnie]

I am in safe mode -Why? How do I restore it?

 

[TF]

There are 2 ways to open Word in Safe Mode. One is to edit the startup
command and add the /a switch. The other is to hold down the Control Key
when starting Word. So either the start command line has been changed or the
Control Key is stuck on your keyboard.



:I am in safe mode -Why? How do I restore it?

 

[Beth Melton]

Thought I'd throw a comment in this thread. I've been intending to
post this information at some point and this looks like a good place.


Not that it really matters but the /a switch is a little different
than using the /safe switch or holding down the Ctrl key.

Word Safe Mode will perform a few additional functions, such as it
preventing document recovery, it bypasses a few additional Registry
keys, and there are a few additional items it bypasses. So far I don't
think I've found a situation where using Safe Mode would allow Word to
start when the /a switch wouldn't.

BUT there is one substantial difference and that's when it comes to
troubleshooting global templates/add-ins. Word Safe Mode will suppress
the list of global templates/add-ins found in the Word Startup folder
when viewing them under Tools/Templates and Add-ins. OTOH, when you
start Word using the /a switch you'll see global templates/add-ins
found in both the Office\Startup folder and the Word Startup folder.

So if you're trying to determine which global templates/add-ins load
when Word starts normally then the /a switch will reveal the most
information.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[TF]

Beth

Thanks for the clarification. I'll stick to /a.

Terry

: Thought I'd throw a comment in this thread. I've been intending to
: post this information at some point and this looks like a good place.
:
:
: Not that it really matters but the /a switch is a little different
: than using the /safe switch or holding down the Ctrl key.
:
: Word Safe Mode will perform a few additional functions, such as it
: preventing document recovery, it bypasses a few additional Registry
: keys, and there are a few additional items it bypasses. So far I don't
: think I've found a situation where using Safe Mode would allow Word to
: start when the /a switch wouldn't.
:
: BUT there is one substantial difference and that's when it comes to
: troubleshooting global templates/add-ins. Word Safe Mode will suppress
: the list of global templates/add-ins found in the Word Startup folder
: when viewing them under Tools/Templates and Add-ins. OTOH, when you
: start Word using the /a switch you'll see global templates/add-ins
: found in both the Office\Startup folder and the Word Startup folder.
:
: So if you're trying to determine which global templates/add-ins load
: when Word starts normally then the /a switch will reveal the most
: information.
:
: Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
: assistance by email can not be acknowledged.
:
: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
: Beth Melton
: Microsoft Office MVP
:
: Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
: TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
: MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/
:
:
: "TF" <terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom> wrote in message
: : > There are 2 ways to open Word in Safe Mode. One is to edit the
: > startup
: > command and add the /a switch. The other is to hold down the Control
: > Key
: > when starting Word. So either the start command line has been
: > changed or the
: > Control Key is stuck on your keyboard.
:
:

 

[Beth Melton]

You may appreciate the story behind this discovery. <g>

During the Office 2003 beta I was shocked to find they removed the
list of global template/add-ins when starting Word in Safe Mode. So,
of course, I immediately emailed one of the Word PMs with a lengthy
email, listed numerous examples of how the list aids in
troubleshooting and *implored* them to change it back.

Was my face red after several email exchanges when they were unable to
duplicate the issue and realized I was starting Word holding the Ctrl
key and not the /a switch. lolol

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[TF]

Oops! Very red face.

Terry

: You may appreciate the story behind this discovery. <g>
:
: During the Office 2003 beta I was shocked to find they removed the
: list of global template/add-ins when starting Word in Safe Mode. So,
: of course, I immediately emailed one of the Word PMs with a lengthy
: email, listed numerous examples of how the list aids in
: troubleshooting and *implored* them to change it back.
:
: Was my face red after several email exchanges when they were unable to
: duplicate the issue and realized I was starting Word holding the Ctrl
: key and not the /a switch. lolol
:
: Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
: assistance by email can not be acknowledged.
:
: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
: Beth Melton
: Microsoft Office MVP
:
: Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
: TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
: MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/
: