Windows 10: File explorer unable to open word documents not responding

File Explorer is unable open Word documents - not responding message and forced to end task

:)

 

microsoft word 2003

In the past year or so I've noticed another quirk where a downloaded Word document or other Office document won't open regardless of the steps I take to open them. After deleting the file and re-downloading the document it opens without issue. I've been using Chrome almost exclusively so I'm not sure if I've experienced this with Explorer or Firefox. So one last step to try might be to obtain another copy of your files if they are being generated and fetched externally to your system (ie. try downloading them again as the file might have simply been corrupted).

 

Unable to open Word document

Can any one help? I have a word document that I am unable to open. When I click on the document it comes up with 'unable to read this content, do you want to recover? However when I click yes it then comes up with 'word experienced an error '. I've searched
multiple things to recover it and I just can't seem to open it.

Another problem is that the file type is classed as a short cut. If anyone has any suggestions or even some insight on what the blood hell I've done that'd be great.

 

Unable to open word document through Windows File Explorer

Hi Diane,

Are you able to open Word files from inside Word - File - Open

If Word opens files form inside Word, but not by double clicking Word files on your PC, follow these steps to perform a full repair of your Office installation . . .

Open Control Panel - Programs and Features

Click Microsoft Office in the list of installed applications

At the top, click 'Change'

On the resulting dialog, click 'Repair' - choose the Online Repair, it is a comprehensive fix

That should fix any issues with your Office Installation . . .