Windows 10: Opening docx/xlsx file in search bar isn't working

Good day,My new laptop came in Windows 10 and I updated it to Windows 11 prior to using it.Search bar opens and I am able to search for files and apps.What I usually do is hit Start then type directly what I am looking for and hit enter on my keyboard.When I hit enter on apps, it works perfectly. However, when I search for a file like Testfile.docx and hit enter, it doesn't open the file and closes the search result.I assume it has something to do with the link to MS Office.Default App for docx file:WordApps currently installed related to this:Office pre-installed with laptopWordExcelUpdat

:)

 

Unable to use Open > Browse for XLSX, PPTX or DOCX files

Each time I attempt to Open with 'Browse' function, the application crashes when selecting xlsx, docx and pptx files (even before clicking the 'Open' button).

The same when I try to open from any Office apps, or when using the 'browse' window to upload to Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.

I do not have the same issues when selecting CSV or XLS files. I do not have the issue opening XLSX files directly from the Excel Open page without using Browse.

I am running latest of everything.

Example in this Loom for opening a CSV successfully and crashing when trying to open an XLSX file:

https://www.loom.com/share/bf77e89687364aedb5b262ca47e358b5

 

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.

 

File Explorer not previewing .docx files or .xlsx will preview txt pdf

OK, tried all of the above (cache to 1GB, winword /r, etc). Still have the problem with File (not internet) Explorer. Getting a new wrinkle now. After doing winword.exe /r, I got this





It suggests saving Normal.dotm to the Documents folder but it won't let me do that either. I just keep getting the "We can't save this..." box no matter where I try to save it.

It seems like Word is completely screwed up and now I don't know if my Preview problem is Win10 related or Word 365/Office related.

My head hurts.

Pam