Control When the Task Pane Appears
The Problem:
The Getting Started task pane that appears when I start Word gets me started all rightthe wrong way. How do I get rid of it?
The Solution:
Choose Tools 
Options, click the View tab, uncheck the Startup Task Pane box in the Show area, and then click the OK button.
If you find that the task pane doesn't obey the Startup Task Pane setting in Word 2003, change the Registry setting that controls it:
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Close Word and create a system restore point before tackling the Registry: choose Start
All Programs Accessories System Tools System Restore, click the "Create a restore point" option, click the Next button, and follow through the prompts. -
Choose Start
Run, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. -
Navigate to this Registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Common\General
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Right-click the DoNotDismissFileNewTaskPane key, choose Delete from the shortcut menu, and click the OK button to confirm the deletion. Choose File
Exit to close the Registry Editor. -
Restart Word.