Fixing Annoying Word/Excel Windows Problem

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The discussion centers around an issue with Microsoft Word and Excel where minimizing one file causes it to reappear behind another open file. Users express frustration over this persistent problem, particularly in Windows 10, and note that it has been an annoyance for several years. The issue seems to stem from shared variables in DLLs between the applications. A workaround is suggested, involving testing the behavior of minimizing and working between multiple instances of the applications, though caution is advised against trying this with important files. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for a solution to prevent minimized windows from reappearing unexpectedly.
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This has bugged me for a while, so I finally was trying to figure out how to disable this "feature" today. But Microsoft Help and Google haven't led to any fixes yet.

If I have a Word file open and minimize it, and then open another Word file, the first file window also pops back up and ends up on-screen behind the new Word file window. The same thing happens with Excel files.

Does anybody know how to keep that from happening? It's really annoying; I have the first file window minimized for a reason -- I'm not working on that file currently but will get back to it soon enough that I don't want to close out that window.

Thanks for any tips. :smile:
 
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Versions?
 
pbuk said:
Versions?
Oh, good point. It's happening to me in Win10, but I don't remember if this happened with any older versions. It seems like it's been an annoyance for several years now...
 
Overall, it sounds like they are sharing some variables of DLLs that they shouldn't be. I have a browser that behaves in a somewhat similiar fashion.

Just for proof-of-concept:
DON'T TRY THE FOLLOWING WITH ANYTHING IMPORTANT.
A clumsy work-around would be; with both instances open, see if one can be minimized while working on the other instance; check if it works both ways, and also for Saving and Opening without corruption.

Cheers,
Tom
 

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