WD2000: How to Turn Off File Name AutoComplete in Open and Save Dialog Boxes (289193)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q289193
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

When you type a file name in the Open, Save, or Save As dialog box, Word may automatically try to complete the file name for you. To prevent Microsoft Word from automatically completing a file name for you, follow the steps in the "More Information" section of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

To turn off the AutoComplete feature in both the Open dialog box (on the File menu, click Open) and in the Save or Save As dialog box (on the File menu, click either Save or Save As), edit the Windows registry and add the Use AutoComplete string value. To do this, follow these steps.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.
  1. Quit Microsoft Word and all other Windows programs.
  2. Click Start and then click Run.
  3. In the Open box, type regedit and then click OK.
  4. Click to select the following Windows registry key:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\9.0\Common\General

  5. If the Use AutoComplete string value is not listed with the General key that is selected (in the right pane of Registry Editor), follow these steps to add the Use AutoComplete key:

    1. Click to select the General key.
    2. On the Edit menu, point to New and then click String Value.
    3. Type Use AutoComplete and then press ENTER.

      IMPORTANT NOTE: There must be a space between Use and AutoComplete.
    The Use AutoComplete string value should now be listed in the right pane of Registry Editor when the General key is selected.
  6. Click to select Use AutoComplete.
  7. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
  8. In the Edit String dialog box, change the Value data box to No, and then click OK. If you manually created the Use AutoComplete key, the Value data box will be blank. Type No and then click OK.

    NOTE: If you want to allow the use of the AutoComplete feature in the Open, Save, or Save As dialog box, change the Value data box to Yes.
  9. On the Registry menu, click Exit.
NOTE: If you are using Microsoft Office 2000 on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows 2000, you have to install the Microsoft Office 2000 SR-1/SR-1a Update to use the registry key described in this article. For additional information about how to obtain and install the Microsoft Office 2000 SR-1/SR-1a Update, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

245025 OFF2000: How to Obtain and Install the Microsoft Office 2000 SR-1/SR-1a Update

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/20/2002
Keywords:kbinfo KB289193
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