Solved Desktop shortcut to end MS Word

SoFine409 · May 29, 2023

At the end of each working session, I use FreeFileSync to create a quick backup of any new, deleted, or changed files. And yes, I do use Macrium to create images but not every day. The problem is that if I've used Outlook to check my email and have used MS Word to view or edit a document then FreeFileSync will not be able to synchronize some of Outlooks files in AppData. I can fix this either by restarting or by opening Task Manager and ending Microsoft Word. So, to save time I'd like to have shortcut on my desktop that I could single click to end MS Word. If someone could help with this I'd be very grateful.

Scott · May 29, 2023

@SoFine409 I'm far from being any kind of coder but I found this online

Code:

taskkill /IM winword.exe /f

Copy to notepad, save as .bat

Worked for me.

garlin · May 29, 2023

This script is more polite in taking the time to save updated Word docs, before exiting Word.

The exception is any new docs you've created, but never saved to a folder. I'm assuming since you didn't care to give them filenames, you don't want them saved. Other docs which are already saved won't mind being closed.

1. Open Notepad, copy this script to CloseWordDocs.vbs

Code:

Dim objWord, objDoc, status

On Error Resume Next
Do
    Set objWord = GetObject(, "Word.Application")
    status = Err.Number

    If status = 0 Then
        For Each objDoc in objWord.Documents
            'WScript.Echo objDoc.Name
            If objDoc.Saved = False Then
                If Instr(objDoc.FullName,".doc") > 0 Then
                    'WScript.Echo "Saving " + objDoc.FullName
                    objDoc.Save
                Else
                    objDoc.Close False
                End If
            End If
        Next
        objWord.Quit
        Set objWord = Nothing
    End If
Loop Until status = 429

On Error Goto 0

2. Create a desktop shortcut from the script.
3. Rename it. Change the Icon if you want to one of the Word icons under \Program Files\Office...\... [depends on your Office version].
4. Click shortcut to close all Word windows.

If you have a scheduled task that runs FreeFileSync, create another task to run this script a few minutes before your sync takes place.