Disable the 'New' box in Ms Access in favour of a normal dialog

Solution 1:

I think I've figured out a workaround for this issue, though it's really not pretty.

Firstly, I've modified the Quick Access toolbar at the top of the Office applications to have the New, Open and Save commands available. Then I make sure that the File > Access Options > Client Settings > Don't show the Backstage when opening and saving files with keyboard shortcuts is true. Note that, in Word and Excel, the option appears on the Save page of the options dialog, under the Save documents section.

Despite the fact that the option states '...with keyboard shortcuts', the Quick Access commands do seem to also skip the travesty that is the 'Backstage' screen.

Still, with Access, the Backstage does appear on application start, unless you set the option to Open last used database when Access starts in the Advanced section of the Client Settings options. Pressing Esc does cancel the Backstage, however, returning you to the standard database screen.

When will Microsoft ever realise that they don't know best? Personally I do not know a single person who wants to store all their documents in one or two folders. Seven words should bring this crashing back to you, Microsoft - It looks like you're writing a letter.