Overview
Unlike earlier versions of Microsoft Office, the Microsoft Office 2013 applications, when started, show a Start screen similar to the following, rather than opening the default blank template:
More Information
You can use the Office Customization Tool (OCT) or the Group Policy Management Editor to manage this Start screen.
Office Customization Tool (OCT):
Note: The OCT can only be used with Windows Installer based source files for Microsoft Office 2013.
STEP ONE: Using the OCT (setup.exe /admin), locate the "Disable the Office Start screen for all Office applications" under Features | Modify user settings | Microsoft Office 2013 | Miscellaneous:
STEP TWO: Enable the "Disable the Office Start screen for all Office applications" setting:
STEP THREE: Save the MSP file and place it in the Updates folder of your source files prior to deploying Microsoft Office 2013
Group Policy:
STEP ONE: If you have not already, download the Office 2013 Administrative Template files. These can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35554
STEP TWO: Copy the ADMX files to %systemroot%\PolicyDefinitions and the ADML files to the language specific folder (such as en-us) under %systemroot%\PolicyDefinitions.
STEP THREE: Using the Group Policy Management Editor, locate the "Disable the Office Start screen for all Office applications" under User Configuration | Policies | Administrative Templates: Policy definitions | Microsoft Office 2013 | Miscellaneous:
STEP FOUR: Enable the "Disable the Office Start screen for all Office applications" setting:
