OFFXP: Cannot Start Office Shortcut Bar or Office Shortcut Bar Does Not Start Automatically

After you upgrade to Microsoft Office XP from Microsoft Office 2000, the Office Shortcut Bar may not start automatically. Also, you may not be able to start the Office Shortcut Bar by using the shortcut on the Start menu.

This behavior occurs if you selected certain custom installation options. By default, the Office Shortcut Bar is set to "Not Available" if these options are selected.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Click your installation of Microsoft Office, then click Change.
   
   The setup wizard starts.
4. Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Next.
5. Expand Office Tools.
6. Click the symbol next to Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar, and then click Run from My Computer.
7. Click Update, and then click OK.