MS Word XP, keeps opening with Sidebar

[Halder]

Whenever I open MSWord XP (2001) it opens a blank document with that
annoying sidebar menu on the right hand side of the screen. What do I do
to get it to open a blank, new page without the side bar?

thanks
Halder

[Nikto]

Tools menu->Options->View tab->Uncheck 'Startup Task Pane'

[Big Booger]

I am happy to report Office 12 doesn't do this! :D

For word 2003:


Microsoft Word 2003
Remove 'Getting Started' Pane

SUMMARY: Disable the "Getting Started" pane that appears when running Microsoft Word 2003.

When you start Microsoft Word 2003 from Explorer without opening a document, a "Getting Started" pane appears to the right of the new document window. This contains options such as "Connect to Microsoft Office Online", "Get the latest news about using Word", plus a list of your most recently accessed documents. Though some find this feature useful, others may find it annoying. If you are in the latter group, here is how to remove the "Getting Started" pane.

1. From Microsoft Word 2003, choose "Tools" then "Options".
2. When the "Options" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, select the "View" tab.
3. Uncheck "Startup Task Pane".
4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

I am guessing it is the same for Word 2001:
To remove the New Document side pane at startup, choose Tools, Options, View; then uncheck the Startup Task Pane check box and click OK.