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when PowerPoint opens, I would like for it to show me a blank presentation with no preformatted text boxes like the following, preferably with multiple blank slides (use case below):

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Currently, it starts with some text boxes like this:

enter image description here

I've searched the net and the settings and I have not found anything that seems to do what I want. I have looked into changing the default theme/template and setting a default layout. The default theme/template seems to require that you click on the "Blank" in the start screen, and I can't seem to get the add-in from SKP to work. I guess it's not compatible, or Outlook 2013 doesn't do *.PPA files anymore.

Is there a way to do what I want to do? I will be upgrading to PowerPoint 2016 soon, if that changes anything.

Use Case

I find it advantageous to use PowerPoint as a place to keep screenshots during tech support calls. This is my primary purpose in using PowerPoint, and only occasionally do I make presentations with it. However, if and when I do make presentations, i would still want to start with a blank canvas.

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  • The solution from the first link you provided worked for me. Made a ppt with 3 blank pages and save it as a .potx in the Roaming folder. Now everytime I open PowerPoint the 3 blank slides appear.
    – User552853
    Aug 10 '16 at 7:05
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    Re: your Use Case - have you ever considered using MicroSoft One Note instead? You can paste in screenshots, type stuff, paste text from webpages and it also keeps a note of where you got it from. Might be a better fit than a presentation tool that you never make presentations in?
    – Morag Hughson
    Aug 10 '16 at 9:30
  • OneNote is not guarenteed to be on other peoples machines if I need to send the screenshots, and last I used it, was a performance hog.
    – YetAnotherRandomUser
    Aug 10 '16 at 11:01
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PowerPoint still works with PPA add-ins as of Office 2016, but if that add-in hasn't been updated for the multiple layout object model introduced in PPT 2007, it might well not work.

Your simplest solution might be to create a "starter" PPT with a bunch of pre-made blank slides in it, then put a shortcut to it on your desktop or wherever it's convenient/easily accessible. Start a new presentation by doubleclicking that, then save to a new name if needed.

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