Fixing Annoying Word/Excel Windows Problem

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion addresses a persistent issue in Microsoft Word and Excel on Windows 10, where minimizing one document causes another document window to reappear. Users have reported this behavior for several years, indicating a potential flaw in how these applications manage window states and shared DLL variables. A temporary workaround suggested involves minimizing one instance while working on another, although this is not a definitive solution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Microsoft Word and Excel functionalities
  • Familiarity with Windows 10 operating system
  • Basic knowledge of application window management
  • Awareness of DLL (Dynamic Link Library) interactions in software
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Microsoft Word and Excel window management settings
  • Explore potential updates or patches for Windows 10 that address application behavior
  • Investigate user forums for additional workarounds or solutions
  • Learn about DLL management and its impact on application performance
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for Microsoft Office users, particularly those experiencing window management issues, as well as IT professionals troubleshooting application behavior in Windows 10.

berkeman
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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 similar 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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