How do I remove the "Getting Started" pane?

Question

I am using MS Word 2003, & I want to know how to stop that awful "Getting Started" side pane from reducing my page width all the time and getting in my way - I hate it so much!

Answer 1

The page title is Microsoft's not mine, but the page explains how to stop the SQL warning.

The task pane controller I believe installs an add-in to Word to provide the control you requested. It is probably that which is triggering the security warning.

Answer 2

The two problems are not connected. The link I posted earlier explains how to stop the startup task pane, which is what you asked about. The method shown does exactly that. The SQL warning is a different issue entirely and was introduced with a security update.

You receive the "Opening this will run the following SQL command" message when you open a Word mail merge main document that is linked to a data source - http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=825765. See also the Word macro to toggle the registry setting referred to in that link at http://www.gmayor.com/word_vba_examples.htm#SQL.

Answer 3

I got rid of it on my copy of Word 2003 by clicking Tools/Options on the menu bar, selecting the View tab on the dialog box that appears and unchecking the first checkbox labeled "Startup Task Pane".

Answer 4

No, not helpful (Can't find how to change the default "Yes" to read "NO").

It might have been helpful if it had not merely replaced one problem with another.

I now continually have to turn off (or say "Yes" to) a box that pops up - every single time I open Word which says:

"Opening this document will run the following SQL command:

Data from your database will be placed in your document. Do you want to continue?"

and there's a large yellow triangle with an exclamation mark in it.

How do I get rid of this?

Arrrgggghhhhh!!!!!

Answer 5

See http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/ShowTaskPane.htm