Microsoft Word 2010 cannot get blank document

Question

Whenever I open Microsoft Word 2010, an old document opens up. It's the same one all the time.

And even if I go and try to open a new document, this same document is alway there.

How do I get rid of it?

Solution

As I understand it, all Word documents have a default template. The "normal.dotm" template is a blank document which comes up when you start a new document. Check to see if you mistakenly overwrote the normal template with a previous document. Here is some information about Word 2010 templates:

http://www.laptopmag.com/advice/tips/change-your-default-template-in-word.aspx