How do I stop frequent configuring of Office Home 2007

Every second or third time I try to go into Word 2007, I get the message
Configuring Microsoft Home and Student 2007. The process takes several
minutes. As a previous user of earlier versions of Word, I find it hard to
believe that the frequent configuring process is necessary or intended, but I
cannot find how to avoid it in Office 2007. Advice welcomed.