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Why do MS Word and Outlook 2007 take so long to open?

I use Windows XP. I have a new computer. I installed Office 2007, expecting applications to work faster and better. They have not. Both Outlook (not my default email, but my address and Notes program) and Word take forever to open. I've deleted the Normal.dot file and opened Word again. Still slow. I've deleted the add-ins from both programs. Slow. Help!!???
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Alternatively if you want Office to run quick - don't use Office 2007.
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So many great responses, Spot the Cat, the b1ackfox, and wart1! I'll consider each and report the progress. Thanks!
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It appears that there is no solution except to go back to Office 2003. Bummer. Thanks to each of you. I've implemented every suggestion, but no solution,yet. I appreciate the input! Leecyw
Disable CSS and addons does not speed up Outlook 2007?
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Sorry, war1, I should have been specific. Outlook has become faster. I never used Outlook 2003, so I can't compare. It's Word 07 that just hangs, and hangs and hangs. I've spend most of the day figuring out what is slowing applications on my computer. During one reboot, a message said it was changing my profile. The nature of the beast, I guess. Very frustrating. Thanks much for the responses! Leecy
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Thanks, war1, I'll do that. Wouldn't it be nice if that worked? I'm really tempted to go back to 03, but it feels like regressing to me! ;-)
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csoussan, once Word is open, it behaves pretty well.

I'll defrag again, war1. It won't hurt. Thanks
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Oh, Wow, csoussan! When I open word using Run and the c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\WINWORD.EXE" /a path, it opens immediately! Hmmmm..

Now what can I do? I've deleted the Normal.dot template, but that didn't speed it up. When I go to the Add-In window, I see a long list of Inactive Add-Ins. The only active application is AVWiz12s.dotm  (whatever that is..). I have no way of deleting that. I click on Manage: COM Add Ins and it's blank because I've deleted all Add-In from there. It sounds like we are getting somewhere. Any other advice is most welcome! Leecy ;-)
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I shall try that and let you know. Thanks, csoussan. Leecy
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Yes. I searched "Normal" and deleted the normal.dotm, which is the only one that came up. No change.
I reinstalled Word. No change.

All add-ins are deleted. Nothing.

Now, when I open Word from c:\program files\microsoft office\office12\WINWORD.EXE" /a , it has gotten super slow.

I created a new user, and opened Word from there. Unbelievably slow. Every time I open Word or Outlook now, it takes a good minute or more, which to me is too slow to work.

I use AVG Virus protection. I wonder if something might be going on there. Is there anything I can safely turn off from there? I used to have McAfee, but a MS techie told me it was interferring with Word. I deleted it and bought AVG. No change.

Should I uninstall Office 07 and reinstall? Any dangers in that? I'm about to buy another computer from all of this, but I fear having the same problems. Thanks for any additional help.
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Thanks, War1. I did use the removal tool you suggested, and it appeared to find a number of files still on my drive. Thanks. The other news is that it did not help with Word. I paid $129 to spend five hours with a software techie at Dell, who told me that my computer is not slow. He cleaned up my system of extra files. When I opened Word, it took between 15 to 30 seconds to open. He said that was normal, and, in fact, it was faster than what it had been. Now I'm back to over a minute to load. Sometimes, if I delete the Normal.docm file, it comes right up, but just once. The next time, we're back to slow.

I've decided to uninsnall Office 2007 and reinstall it. My concern is that I'll lose the Outlook files (notes, contacts and calendar) that I've accumulated. I don't use Outlook as my email program, so I'm not worried about that. Any suggestions about that process.
Thanks, one and all!
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Thanks for the prompt reply, war1. I tried saving the PST file, but I'm not allowed to do it. I'm told another program is using it, which is not the case. I've rebooted and still get the same message. I've tride copy/paste, and get the same message. I tried dragging. Nope. Tried moving the whole Outlook folder. Nope. Phoooooooey.L
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When I tried to save the PST, there were no programs open, including Outlook. I'll try the safe mode. Thanks, war1.
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Safe Mode worked to save the file. I uninstalled Office 2007. I tried to just reinstall Outlook. Nope. It reinstalled everyghing. So now, I've installled Open Office. Works like a charm. Maybe that's the solution: ditch MS Office 2007! What do you think, war1?
leecyw,

If Open Office works for you, then use it.  Some parts of Open Office interface is not easy to use.

Or you can use Outlook 2003.  It works well and fast in Windows XP.
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I haven't tried  Open OpenOffice, so I can't report progress, yet. I may just resort to going bach to Outlook 03 as suggested. You are a prince, war1. Thanks! My next camputer purchase may well be a Mac with WIndows. Whew. Smiles your way, Leecy
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Thanks to everyone who pitched in. Even when the solution didn't work, I learned a lot from using the suggestions. I really appreciate the time each of you spent helping me through this. I'm still struggling, but I've switched to Open Office, which helps. I'm also going to intall Outlook 03 rather than 07. Sometimes the latest isn't the best! Thanks Again! leecyw