Er Duh. Obviously you did NOT read my entire text. You repeated the most
obvious answer, which I stated I already knew.

It keeps coming back. In scanning through threads on this board it should
be obvious to everyone at Microsoft that Reading Layout View was a bad idea
and should definitely NOT be a primary feature. Bury it somewhere, please.
Then the few who use it can get to it and those of us who are annoyed by it
don't ever have to see it again.

It's like a dominant genetic deformity that keeps cropping up when least
expected.

If there is no answer to total and permanent disable, then just say that.
Don't keep playing back the obvious answer which hasn't satisfied anyone on
any of the other threads either.

"garfield-n-odie" wrote:

UNcheck "Allow starting in Reading Layout".

Coaster Man wrote:

I absolutely hate this feature. I uncheck "Allow Starting in Reading
Layout" but it keeps coming back like a bad cold. Usually when I have
received a file from someone. Anyone know how to make this disappear forever?