Getting started dialog box (Word 2003)

[JCSolutions]

Hello,
I just installed Word 2003 to try it out. I just can't get rid of the Getting Started task pane. Everytime I open/start a doc the &?&%%% thing is there. In Tools, Options, the "Show - Start up task pane" is not ticked.
What have I missed?
tks

[Phil Rabichow]

I'm not sure, but when Word misbehaves, sometimes checking the option, closing Word, reopening Word, unchecking the option, & closing Word will work. Since this is under Tools/Options, the setting is probably in the registry. Hopefully, you won't have to delete the DATA key & rebuild it. You should also delete any temp files that Word may have created. See the first step of <post#=197827>post 197827</post#>.
Hope this helps,

[jscher2000]

Microsoft has published a "do it yourself" registry fix for this. See The Getting Started task pane appears every time when you start Word 2003 (MSKB 838676). Credit: <post#=358202>post 358202</post#> by Rebel.

The Word MVPs have posted a more "general purpose" add-in that lets you control whether the task pane, any task pane, is visible at startup. See Controlling the Task Pane, even when add-ins are present. Credit: <post#=376458>post 376458</post#> by HansV.

Hope this helps.