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Starting Microsoft Word from the Command Prompt (and Why)
Launching Microsoft Word from the Command Prompt is not just for opening the app: it also allows you to use various switches and parameters to control Word’s behavior. These are especially useful for troubleshooting or automating tasks.
Finding the Word Executable (winword.exe)
Before you can use the Command Prompt to launch Word, you need to locate its directory.
- Open the Command Prompt by typing
cmdin the Start menu and pressing Enter. - Use the following command to navigate to the Program Files directory:
cd\"program files (x86)" - Search for the Word executable file using this command:
dir winword.exe /sThe Command Prompt will display the path towinword.exe. - Navigate to the directory where
winword.exeis located using thecdcommand. For example:cd Microsoft Office\root\Office16
Now you are ready to run Word commands.
Basic Command to Open Word
To open Word, simply type the following and press Enter:
winword
Common Command Line Switches and Parameters
| Switch/Parameter | Description | Example Command |
|---|---|---|
/safe | Starts Word in Safe Mode (no add-ins or customizations). Useful for troubleshooting. | winword /safe |
/q | Opens Word without the splash screen. | winword /q |
/t[templatename] | Opens Word with a document based on a specified template. | winword /tC:\example.docx |
/f[filename] | Opens Word and creates a new document based on an existing file. | winword /f"C:\example.docx" |
/h[http://filename] | Opens a read-only file stored on a SharePoint site. | winword /hhttp://mysite/documents/example.docx |
/a | Prevents add-ins and global templates (like Normal.dotm) from loading. | winword /a |
/m[macroname] | Starts Word and runs a specific macro. | winword /mMyMacro |
/n | Opens a new instance of Word with no document open. | winword /n |
/r | Re-registers Word in the Windows registry. | winword /r |
Examples
Open Word in Safe Mode:winword /safe
- Start Word with a specific template:
winword /tC:\Templates\MyTemplate.dotx - Run a macro on startup:
winword /mProcessData - Open Word without loading add-ins or templates:
winword /a - Re-register Word in the Windows registry:
winword /r
Creating Shortcuts with Command Line Switches
You can create desktop shortcuts to launch Word with specific parameters:
- Right-click on your desktop and select New > Shortcut.
- Enter the command (e.g.,
winword /safe) in the location field. - Name your shortcut (e.g., “Word Safe Mode”).
- Click Finish.
Now you can launch Microsoft Word in different ways to suit your needs using the Command Prompt or shortcuts!
