2 Ways to Get Rid of “Configuration Progress” Window When Starting Word

In this article, we will offer you 2 ways to get rid of “Configuration Progress” window every time you open Word.

When open Word, you may encounter with the “Configuration Progress” window.Window of "Configuration Progress"

First of all, let’s take a look at when this problem will present.

  1. Situation 1 is that you install more than one version of Word on your computer. Then you are likely to come across the “Configuration Progress” window, when you switch from one to another. This is pretty understandable.
  2. Situation 2 is that you install only one version of Word on your computer. Yet, the headache can still happen to you.

Obviously, this can cost you much extra time. And I bet you must want to know how to fix it. Then here you are. In the content below, we will use examples under Windows 7.

Method 1: Edit the Registry

  1. First and foremost, press “Window+ R” to open the “Run” window.
  2. Then, enter “regedit” in “Open” text box.
  3. Next, click “OK”.Enter "regedit" ->Click "OK"
  4. Now you will be greeted with a security message just as below:

Just click “Yes”.Click "Yes"

  1. In “Registry Editor”, first you need find the following keys accordingly:

For Word 2010, you should look for the following keys:

HKEY-CURRENT-USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Word\Options

For Word 2007, you should look for the following keys:

HKEY-CURRENT-USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Options

For Word 2003, you should look for the following keys:

HKEY-CURRENT-USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options
  1. Now you can see all the values stored in “Options” folder. Next, right click on the empty place.
  2. Choose “New”.
  3. And, choose “DWORD (32-bit) Value” on the expand list.Find Keys -> Right Click -> Choose "New" -> Choose "DWORD (32-bit) Value"
  4. Now name the new value as “NoRereg”.
  5. Then, right click on the new value.
  6. Choose “Modify” to edit the value.Right Click -> Choose "Modify"
  7. Input “1” as value data.
  8. Then, choose “Hexadecimal”.
  9. Lastly, click “OK”.Input "1" as Value Data -> Choose "Hexadecimal" -> Click "OK"

Generally, to edit the registry of one version is enough to address the problem. However, if the headache remains, you can edit all the registries of different Word versions.

Method 2: Alter Windows Program Files

  1. Firstly, storage location of program files of different Word versions vary a bit.

Therefore, for Word 2010, you should go to the following location:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\Office Setup Controller

For Word 2007, you should go to the following location:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE12\Office Setup Controller

For Word 2003, you should go to the following location:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE11\Office Setup Controller

Here we take version 2007 as an example.

  1. Then find the “SETUP” application and right click on it.
  2. Next choose “Rename”.Right Click on "SETUP" -> Choose "Rename"

You can add some letters or numbers to the original name. For instance, we can rename it as “SETUP123”.  New Name

Comparison of 2 Methods

Methods Advantages Disadvantages
Edit the Registry It works for both situation 1 and 2. 1.         It requires more steps.

2.         Sometimes you may have to edit all registries of Word.

Alter Windows Program Files It requires fewer steps. It works only for situation 2.

Be Cautious about Word Errors

Word is capable of so many features. But we can’t ignore an upsetting fact that Word is not foolproof. Since we cannot guarantee our every operation, the tragedy of losing critical files happens all the time. Therefore it’s important to have a Word error repair tool.

Author Introduction:

Vera Chen is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including xls damage repair tool and pdf repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com

13 responses to “2 Ways to Get Rid of “Configuration Progress” Window When Starting Word”

  1. I performed the actions as outlined in method 1 for Word and it worked great. When I opened Excel it was still going through the configuration process, so I went back in and performed the same changes but Excel still goes through the configuration process. Is there anything else I should do?

  2. Purchased new Desktop computer with 11 & Trial ver of Office. Installed my Office 2007, all was well until I believe “Windows Update” installed an Office 2010 update. “Configuration Progress” stated. A Real Pain! Found your article, Method 2 was the quickest; found “Setup.exe”, renamed it and Bingo that nasty Popup gone. So quick and easy! Thank you very much from a very Senior Citizen.

  3. I had been facing this bothering issue for some time now and it was beyond my comprehension. I got rid of this trouble with the help of this article.
    Thank you very much.

  4. This simple solution WORKED for me

    Go To:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE12\Office Setup Controller
    Rename ‘SETUP.EXE’ to ‘SETUP old.EXE’

    Word, Excel, etc should start as normal, without the tedious configuration step

  5. I have the same issue and follow your steps but I recognize the default was Doc
    I just update the register
    HKEY-CURRENT-USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Word\Options
    DefaultFormat

    It was Doc I update to Docx

    Its OK now

    Thank you.

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