To open Microsoft Word in Safe Mode, use either a quick keyboard shortcut or a simple Run command. This works in recent versions of Word on Windows (Word 2016, 2019, 2021, Microsoft 365).

What Safe Mode Does

  • Loads Word with no add-ins , custom templates, or experimental settings.
  • Helps you diagnose crashes, startup errors, or “Word has stopped working” issues.
  • You’ll see “Safe Mode” in the title bar when it’s active.

Method 1: Run Command (Fastest)

  1. Close all open Word windows first.
  1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
  1. Type winword /safe and press Enter (or click OK).
  1. Word will launch in Safe Mode; check the title bar for “Safe Mode”.

This is the go‑to method most guides recommend when Word keeps crashing or won’t start normally.

Method 2: CTRL + Launch Shortcut

  1. Find your normal Word shortcut (desktop, Start menu, or taskbar).
  1. Press and hold the CTRL key.
  1. While still holding CTRL, double‑click the Word shortcut (or the Word document you want to open).
  1. When a prompt appears saying you’re holding CTRL and asking to start Word in Safe Mode, release CTRL and click Yes.

This method is handy if you’re already staring at the Word icon and just want a quick Safe Mode launch.

Method 3: Make a “Always Safe Mode” Shortcut

If you often need Safe Mode (for example, while debugging bad add-ins), you can create a dedicated shortcut.

  1. Right‑click your existing Word shortcut on the desktop and choose Properties.
  1. In the Target box, go to the end of the line, add a space, then type /safe so it ends like:
    "...\WINWORD.EXE" /safe.
  1. Click Apply , then OK.
  1. Double‑click that shortcut anytime you want Word to start directly in Safe Mode.

You can also create a small batch file (advanced users):

  • Create a new text file and put: start winword /safe
  • Save it as .bat (for example, WordSafeMode.bat) and run it when needed.

Extra Tips if Word Is Misbehaving

If you opened Word in Safe Mode because it crashes or acts weird:

  • If Word works fine in Safe Mode but not normally, an add-in or template is often the culprit.
  • You can reset the main template by renaming Normal.dotm (Word will recreate it next start):
    • Go to C:\Users\<YourUserName>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates and rename Normal.dotm to Normal.old while Word is closed or in Safe Mode.
  • Always make sure Office/Word is up to date to avoid bugs.

Mini FAQ

  • How do I know Word is in Safe Mode?
    You’ll see the words “Safe Mode” in the Word window’s title bar.
  • Will Safe Mode change my documents?
    Your documents themselves are not changed; Safe Mode only affects how Word loads add‑ins and settings while it’s running.

TL;DR:

  • Press Windows + R →winword /safe → Enter to open Word in Safe Mode.
  • Or hold CTRL while opening Word and click Yes when asked to start in Safe Mode.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.