Windows 10: Excel freezes at "Downloading:[filepath\file.xlsx] 0%" for 60-80 seconds and then opens

This started happening recently. Here are the key factors.

Excel 2019 but happening with any Office file as well

NFS: Server 2012 R2

Clients: Win10 v1903 and Win10 v1909

File: Excel file @ 1083 KB

Application: Excel 2019


Scenario:

Opening Excel file from file server, Excel starts right away and goes to Downloading. Freezes at 0% for 60+ seconds and then finally opens.


Other helpful info:

If the File is copied to the local computer it will open immediately as expected; no freezing at all.

There are no add ins enabled in Excel.

File copying from file server to local client is fast.

SMB 1.0 has been disabled with no impact.

Server is fully up to date.

One client is up to date, other client is not. Both behave the same.

PDFs open right away. PNGs open right away. Only Office files are impacted with this slowness.


If anyone has any ideas on what I'm missing I'd love to hear it.


Moved from: Excel / Windows 10 / Office 2019

:)

 

xlsx files can't open

Hello Donald,

.XLSX is a file extension for an open XML spreadsheet used by Microsoft Excel. For us to better assist you, we'd like to know the following:

• Confirm which build is currently installed on your device. To check, follow the steps below:

• Press Windows key + R, then type in winver.
• Click OK.

• Is Microsoft Excel installed on your computer? If yes, which version of Microsoft Excel are you using?
• Are you getting any error messages when opening the .xlsx files?
• Did you create the said file or was it downloaded from a certain source?

We look forward to your response.

Regards.

 

Unable to set Excel as default app to open .xlsx files on Windows 10.

Hi Fiona,



From the above description, I understand you are unable to open
.xlsx files in Excel application on the computer. Please reply to a few questions asked below for better understanding and further assistance on the issue:

• Which Office version is installed on the computer?
• Did you check if Excel application is listed in the context menu on right clicking on the
  .xlsx file?
• Which is the current Windows build installed on the computer?

Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.

 

Double Clicking .xlsx Files Opens a Blank Excel Page.

There are a few details that have made diagnosing the issue and solving it difficult. First, this has affected some of the users in our office but not others. Second, we have a global GPO that sets the Excel regkeys DDEAllowed=0, DDECleaned=1, and DontUpdateLinks=1.
This is due to a security concern relating to DDE-based exploits. For security reasons, we would like these keys to remain as they are.

Is there any way to change how .xlsx files are opened when double clicked? I.e. using a protocol other than DDE? Or is there a better way to disable DDE without breaking how Excel files are opened?