Launch Microsoft Office Apps in Secret Safe Mode

SUMMARY: This article contains information about a hidden secret "Safe Mode" functionality present in all Microsoft Office apps/programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc. You can open or start all Office apps in this secret Safe Mode to troubleshoot various problems such as crashing, not responding, hanging or freezing issues.

We all know about the built-in Safe Mode feature present in Microsoft Windows operating system. We can start Windows in Safe Mode to troubleshoot issues such as virus infection, driver installation issues, etc.

But did you know a similar "Safe Mode" feature is also present in all Microsoft Office apps and programs? Yes, many people are not aware of this built-in functionality in MS Office programs.

All Microsoft Office apps (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Visio) contain a hidden secret Safe More feature which has been implemented by Office developer team to help users in troubleshooting issues related to these apps.

Many times users might face problems while opening or starting Office programs such as program hanging/freezing/crashing at startup or not responding while working in the program. To help users in fixing these issues, Office apps come with this built-in Safe Mode functionality.

If you want to try the Safe Mode feature present in Microsoft Office apps, do as following:

METHOD 1: Open Office Apps in Safe Mode by Pressing CTRL Key

Press and hold CTRL key on your keyboard and then click on any Office app's shortcut. You'll get a warning message similar to following which we received while launching MS Excel in Safe Mode:

Microsoft Excel

You're holding down the CTRL key. Do you want to start Excel in safe mode?

[Yes] [No]

Click on Yes button and the selected Office app will launch in Safe Mode.

METHOD 2: Open Office Apps in Safe Mode Using Command-line Parameter

You can also launch Office apps in Safe Mode using following commands:

• winword /safe (To start Word in Safe Mode)
• excel /safe (To start Excel in Safe Mode)
• powerpnt /safe (To start PowerPoint in Safe Mode)
• outlook /safe (To start Outlook in Safe Mode)
• mspub /safe (To start Publisher in Safe Mode)
• visio /safe (To start Visio in Safe Mode)

You can execute these commands from RUN dialog box or Command Prompt.

You can also modify an Office program's shortcut properties and add the /safe parameter at the end of the string present in "Target" text box to always launch the Office app in Safe Mode.

What Happens When You Open Office Apps in Safe Mode?

Now you might be wondering what exactly happens when you launch an Office app in Safe Mode?

When you start an Office app in Safe Mode, add-ins and extensions are not loaded or executed. Also functionality such as alternative startup location, autocorrect, changing or customizing toolbars, etc is blocked.

You'll also not be able to change Options/Settings as all tabs and options are grayed out i.e. disabled.



So basically all customization, add-ins and extra functions are disabled or blocked in Safe Mode to help users in troubleshooting problems and issues encountered in Office apps.

You'll also notice (Safe Mode) tag after Office program name in the titlebar.

How to Exit from Safe Mode in Office Apps?

Once you decide to leave Safe Mode in Office apps, close the Office app and re-launch it and it'll start in normal mode.

If you added /safe parameter to Office app's shortcut properties, remove the parameter and then start the Office app.

By Saqib Shakoor Memon saqibshakoor@hotmail.com fb.com/saqib.shakoor