Description of the "/a" startup switch in Word

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\user name\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
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Data
  Word 2002
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word\Data
  Word 2000
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Word\Data
• The Word Options key in the Windows Registry at the following location:
  Word 2003
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options
  Word 2002
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word\Options
  Word 2000
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Word\Options
• Your currently selected Microsoft Office Assistant, whose settings are located at the following Windows Registry location:
  Word 2003
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Common\Assistant
  Word 2002
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Common\Assistant
  Word 2000
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common\Assistant

How to Use the /a Switch

To start Word by using the /a switch, follow these steps:

1. 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
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type the path for Winword.exe as you found it in step 1.
4. Enclose the path in quotation marks that are similar to the following:
   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Winword.exe"
5. In the Open box, move the insertion point to after the quotation marks at the end of the path statement.
6. Type a space, and then type /a.
   
   The path statement now looks similar to the following:
   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Winword.exe" /a
7. Click OK.

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: -or-