I need some help with libre writer [new window without the title bar buttons]

[RIPvanWillie]

I don’t know if I got a virus or what, but my Libre Writer is not working as it once did. When I open up a new text file the new window pops up without the usual sizing commands. I can’t move it on my screen or enlarge it. All I can do is click away to take it off my screen. I’ve tried reloading old versions as well as both new versions. They are all corrupted. Anyone ever have this issue?

Thank you kindly, William

[EarnestAl]

Are the buttons visible in Help - Restart in safe mode - Continue in safe mode?

If so, then consider renaming your LibreOffice user folder, see LibreOffice user profile - The Document Foundation Wiki

[RIPvanWillie]

Yes, it works fine in safe mode. So does that mean my files are corrupted? I’m afraid this may be above my pay grade to fix. I’m not real sharp when it comes to computer repair. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks again, William

[EarnestAl]

No, your files are untouched. It is your user profile that has some corruption.

You could just reset the user profile but you probably want to retain your templates, added spell check words, Autocorrect, etc. which is why I suggested renaming your user folder:

1. Close all LibreOffice windows
2. Navigate to the user folder using paths in link. In Windows you might need to open file explorer and click View - Options and tick the box see hidden files and folders if it isn’t already ticked
3. Right click the user folder and rename to something like user2024-01-10
4. Open LibreOffice and let it finish loading. Close LibreOffice
5. Go back to file explorer and copy folders you want to keep from user2024-01-10 to the newly created user folder, overwriting the existing folders
6. Open LibreOffice and check everything works OK.
7. Open Tools - Options - LibreOffice - User data and check if your name and address are there, if not then fill in your initials at least.
8. In Tools - Options - LibreOffice - languages* check that your default locale, language, language for documents are OK. Ok out
9. Start working on your refreshed LibreOffice

[RIPvanWillie]

I am completely lost. how do I get into my user profile? The instructions make no sense to me.

[RIPvanWillie]

I found the user profile, changed the name as instructed, and when I opened it it changed it to “crash”

[Regina]

1. Menu Help > item Restart in Safe Mode. You will be ask if you really want that. Click Restart.

2. You get this dialog
   

   

3. Open the + in front of Advanced.

4. You can archive your user Profile here. The button Archive User Profile will generate a zip-archive from your user profile folder and place it into your user profile folder. The link Show User Profile brings you directly into the user profile folder. You might follow the link for to move the generated zip-file to a different location.

5. As long as you do not know, whether you need any of the options, do not touch them but keep the selection on the default Restore from backup. You can continue with Restart in Normal Mode or with Continue in Safe Mode.

[RIPvanWillie]

Thank you for your help. It seems to have worked, as I now get the sizing commands again. But unfortunately in the process I lost all my working documents. They’re all gone. I must have done something wrong. As often the case, the cure was worse than the illness. The horrors of being an incompetent computer doctor I suppose. Years of work, gone in a flash. I’m devastated. It’s not your fault. It’s all on me.

Thanks again for your help,
William

[EarnestAl]

The recent documents list has gone but the documents are still where you saved them. Look in Tools > Options > LibreOffice > Paths to see where the default folder is to save documents.

Possibly, your operating system also has a list of recent documents