Excel, Word, or PowerPoint couldn’t start last time
When you are prompted to start in safe mode, you should choose to do that right away. In case you skipped the message, and get it every time hold CTRL key and click on the application icon and don’t release the CTRL key until it asks you for Safe mode confirmation. You may need admin permission if it comes to repair or reinstall Office applications.
1] Disable/Enable Add-ins in Safe Mode
If the Safe Mode of the application does not cause any problem, then you need to check if the add-ins are causing a problem. We will have to disable all the add-ins one by one, and then relaunch Excel, Word, Or PowerPoint in normal mode, and check if the issues persist. To disable add-in:
File > Options > Add-insAt the bottom, you must have Manage: Com Add-inPress Go > Untick all the Add-ins to disableClose the application, and then start it usually.
The steps remain the same for all Microsoft office applications which support Add-ins.
2] Repair Office Application
If the problem is occurring on all the applications, and there is no common add-in, it would be best to repair the office. Possible one or core files is corrupt, and repair will replace them with a fresh copy. Follow out guide to either individually reset apps or complete Office installation. Read: Outlook couldn’t start last time; Do you want to start in safe mode?
3] Delete files in Application Startup Path
Some of the forum users at Microsoft Answers reported that removing files and folders in the Application Startup Path folder can help. They are usually located in the- The folder name is Startup for Word and PowerPoint, and XLSTART for Excel. Make sure the office application is closed while you delete all the content inside that folder. Relaunch the app, and check if the problem persists. I hope the post was easy to follow, and you were able to clean open Excel, Word, and PowerPoint applications in Windows 11/10. Fix: Microsoft Word won’t open on Windows PC.
