It's happened a number of times now.

I'm clearly hitting some key combination that closes word entirely. If I have 20 files open (to state the obvious), they're all closed.

I know how to recover them, but man, is it frustrating. Anyone know what that key combo is - so I can turn it off?



Thanks in advance!

UPD: Or: Is there anything else that would cause Word to shut down - all instances - just like that?

Could it be Alt+F4

Also maybe a key has had a command that 'closes all Word instances' assigned to it but that is something only you can check.

I thought of that, but that would only close ONE document, right?

Is there anything else that would cause Word to shut down - all instances - just like that?

There's also another thing to consider: -

If a command to shut down Word is issued, by accident or otherwise, before any changes to documents were saved then you should be seeing a prompt to 'Save your changes' before Word shuts down. This gives you the chance to stop Word closing. If you are not seeing this prompt then there are no changes to save or something else is overriding Word's default behaviour. What that could be I don't know.

I can't help but maybe some expert will help you.

You're exactly right. And to specify: (a) there ARE changes, and (b) I'm not seeing that familiar pop-up window you reference. So - yes, I'm hoping some expert here will have a blindingly enlightening insight!

@Wombat Pete - It sounds as if Word is spontaneously crashing so Office may need 'repairing'. See: -

Repair an Office application

The link also shows how to reinstall Office if repair doesn't work.

Hope this helps.

I think you are describing the built-in FileExit command. It doesn't have a shortcut assigned to it by default, though.

Attached Images

FileExitCommand.png (48.8 KB, 22 views)

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Is it possible that there's a "hide word" function, where it LOOKS like the program is just closed, but there's a way to call back the previous state?

I don't think so. If Word is open it will appear on the taskbar and I don't think the Word icon can be hidden on there.

I think Word is crashing so did you look at the Repair option I mentioned?

Well, then you're probably right. I'll give it a shot, thanks!

Not as far as I am aware.

Look in the Customize Keyboard dialog box on your system and see if a shortcut is assigned to FileExit.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

I did check, thanks. No assignment. It was the right idea, of course!