Microsoft KB Archive/826857

= Description of the &quot;/a&quot; startup switch in Word =

Article ID: 826857

Article Last Modified on 3/23/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Office Word 2003
 * Microsoft Word 2002 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Word 2000 Standard Edition

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SUMMARY
This article describes what the /a switch is, what it does, and how to use it.



The /a Switch
The /a switch is a troubleshooting tool that you can use to determine where a problem may exist when you are working with Microsoft Word.

When you use the /a switch to start Word, the switch prevents add-ins and global templates, including the Normal.dot template, from being loaded automatically.

The /a switch also locks the setting files.The setting files cannot be read or modified when you use this switch.

Note We do not recommend that you use the /a switch as a typical operating startup switch. This switch prevents your preferred settings in Word from being retained. Use the /a switch only when you must troubleshoot Word to determine where a problem may exist.

How the /a Switch Starts Word
Note The default installation paths that are mentioned in the following list are the default locations and may be different on your system. The /a switch starts Word, bypassing or locking the following:  The global template (Normal.dot) that is located in the following folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\ \Application Data\Microsoft\Templates

 Templates and files that are located in the following startup folder:

C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup

 Files that were added as global templates or add-ins. These files can be located when you click Tools, and then Templates and Add-ins in Word. Component Object Model (COM) add-ins. A COM add-in is a supplemental program that extends the capabilities of Word by adding custom commands and specialized features. The Word Data key in the Microsoft Windows Registry at the following location:

Word 2003

 

Word 2002

 

Word 2000

 

 The Word Options key in the Windows Registry at the following location:

'''Word 2003

'''

'''Word 2002

'''

'''Word 2000

'''

 Your currently selected Microsoft Office Assistant, whose settings are located at the following Windows Registry location:

'''Word 2003

'''

'''Word 2002

'''

'''Word 2000

'''

</li></ul>

How to Use the /a Switch
To start Word by using the /a switch, follow these steps: <ol> Locate Winword.exe.

Note By default this program is in the following location depending on your version of Word:

Word 2003

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11

Word 2002

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10

Word 2000

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office

</li> Click Start, and then click Run.</li> In the Open box, type the path for Winword.exe as you found it in step 1.</li> Enclose the path in quotation marks that are similar to the following:

&quot;C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Winword.exe&quot;

</li> In the Open box, move the insertion point to after the quotation marks at the end of the path statement.</li> Type a space, and then type /a.

The path statement now looks similar to the following:

&quot;C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Winword.exe&quot; /a

</li> Click OK.</li></ol>

Note You must type the /a switch outside the quotation marks. If you type the /a switch inside the quotation marks, you receive an error message that is similar to one of the following when you try to run the command:

Cannot find the file 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Winword.exe /a' (or one of its components). Make sure the path and file name are correct and that all required libraries are available.

-or-

Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Winword.exe /a'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.

Keywords: kbinfo KB826857

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