We can start MS-word by typing ________ in the Run Dialog box.

Question

Prepp Team · Accepted Answer

Starting MS-Word Using the Run Dialog Box

Starting applications quickly is a useful skill. One common way to launch programs in Windows is through the Run dialog box. This method allows users to type the name of the executable file associated with a program to start it directly, without navigating through menus or shortcuts. The question asks for the specific command to type in the Run dialog box to start MS-Word.

The Run dialog box can typically be accessed by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard. Once the dialog box appears, you can type the name of the program's executable file and press Enter or click OK.

Identifying the Correct Command for MS-Word

Different applications have different executable file names. For Microsoft Word, the executable file is not simply "word.exe" or "msword.exe" as one might guess. While "word" is part of the application's name, the actual executable used to launch Microsoft Word from the Run dialog is "winword.exe". This name likely comes from "Windows Word".

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the provided options and determine which one is the correct command to start MS-Word via the Run dialog box:

docx.exe: '.docx' is a file extension for Microsoft Word documents, not the executable file name for the application itself. Typing this would not start MS-Word.
msword.exe: While intuitive, this is not the standard executable name for launching Microsoft Word.
winword.exe: This is the correct executable file name for Microsoft Word. Typing winword.exe in the Run dialog box will successfully launch the application.
word.exe: Similar to msword.exe, this is not the actual executable name used by Microsoft for starting the Word application via the Run command.

Therefore, typing winword.exe in the Run dialog box is the correct way to start Microsoft Word.

Step-by-Step Process to Start MS-Word using Run

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
In the "Open:" field, type winword.exe.
Press the Enter key or click the OK button.

Microsoft Word should now start.

Comparison of Commands to Start MS-Word
Command	Outcome
`docx.exe`	Incorrect command; '.docx' is a file extension.
`msword.exe`	Incorrect command.
`winword.exe`	Correct command; launches MS-Word.
`word.exe`	Incorrect command.

Revision Table: Starting MS-Word

Topic	Key Command	How to Use
Starting MS-Word via Run	`winword.exe`	Type in Windows Run dialog (Win+R)

Additional Information on Executable Files

Executable files are files that contain instructions for a computer to execute when they are run. They typically have extensions like '.exe' (on Windows), '.app' (on macOS), or no extension (on Linux/Unix). When you launch a program, you are running its main executable file. Knowing the name of the executable allows you to start programs through command-line interfaces, scripts, or the Run dialog box, which can be faster for frequent users or for troubleshooting. The specific name winword.exe is chosen by Microsoft for the MS-Word application's primary executable.