Works 2000: Cannot Open Existing Database from Works Task Launcher

When you start Works 2000 Database by using the Works Task Launcher, you cannot open an existing Works database.

To work around this issue, use one of the following methods:

Use the Microsoft Windows Start Menu

Use the Windows Start menu to start Works 2000 Database without using the Works Task Launcher. To start Works 2000 Database from the Windows Start menu and open an existing database:

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Works, and then click Microsoft Works Database.
   
   NOTE: Make sure that you do not point to the Microsoft Works Task Launcher icon on the Programs menu.
2. Click Open an Existing Database, and then click OK.
3. Browse to the Works 2000 database that you want to open, and then click Open.

Use the Works Task Launcher

If an existing Works 2000 database has been used recently, you can open the database by using the Works Task Launcher:

1. Start the Works Task Launcher.
2. Click the History tab.
3. In the right pane, click the Works 2000 database that you want to open.

Start a Blank Database

You can open an existing Works 2000 database whenever Works Database is running. To start the Works 2000 Database by using the Works Task Launcher to start a blank database and then open an existing database:

1. Start the Works Task Launcher.
2. Click the Programs tab.
3. In the left pane, click Works Database.
4. In the right pane, click Start a blank Database.
5. In the Create Database dialog box, accept the default values, and then click Add.
6. Click Done.
   
   An empty Works 2000 database with one field appears.
7. On the File menu, click Open.
8. Browse to the Works 2000 database that you want to open, and then click Open.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.