Excel unexpectedly opens one or more files at startup (328233)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Excel 2003
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q328233
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

When you start Microsoft Excel, Excel unexpectedly automatically opens one or more files.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if either or both of the following conditions are true:
  • The At startup, open all files in setting contains a path. Excel automatically opens all files in the folder that is specified.
  • The related registry key is corrupted.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order in which they are listed.

Method 1: Clear the Startup Folder Setting

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the General tab.
  2. Delete the contents of the At startup, open all files in box. Click OK.
  3. Quit Excel, and then restart it.

    If the problem is not resolved, go to method 2.

Method 2: Modify the AltStartup Value in the Registry

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following registry key:

    Excel 97

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Excel

    Excel 2000

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Excel

    Excel 2002

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Excel

    Excel 2003

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Excel

    On the File menu, click Export. Verify that the registry key in step 2 is listed in the Selected branch box.
  3. In the Save in box, click My Documents, type ExcelRegistryKey in the File name box, and then click Save.

    This creates a backup of the registry key in case you have to restore it in the future.
  4. Locate and then click the following registry key:

    Excel 97

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Excel\Options

    Excel 2000

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Excel\Options

    Excel 2002

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Excel\Options

    Excel 2003

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Excel\Options

  5. In the right pane, double-click AltStartup, delete the contents of the Value data box, and then click OK.
  6. Quit Registry Editor.
  7. Start Excel.

    If the problem is not resolved, go to method 3.

Method 3 - Remove the Excel Key from the Registry

Note This method restores all Excel user settings that are stored in the registry to their default settings.
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following registry key:

    Excel 97

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Excel

    Excel 2000

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Excel

    Excel 2002

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Excel

    Excel 2003

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Excel

  3. On the Edit menu, click Delete. Click Yes when you are prompted to confirm the deletion.
  4. Quit Registry Editor.
  5. Start Excel.

REFERENCES

For more information about how to troubleshoot startup problems in Excel, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

280504 How to troubleshoot startup problems in Excel

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/7/2006
Keywords:kbprb KB328233
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