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Word 2016 not opening for .doc and .docx files

Anonymous
2018-05-21T08:06:05+00:00

Hi, community.

I think this is a "file association" issue. I've worked three times through resetting the file association defaults in what used to be called "Control Panel" and it didn't help.

Somehow, after a major forced Windows "upgrade" a few days ago, I ended up with two versions of Word--Office 2010 and Office 2016, and couldn't open most of my Word documents, both .doc and .docx, with either.

I uninstalled Office 2010 and reinstalled Office 2016. It's still not recognizing files that I've worked on and saved for months.

The error message that keeps repeating is "This action is only valid for products that are currently installed."

Office 2016 is validly installed. I purchased and installed it in March, running in Windows 10.

I've been reading the community posts, and there seems to be a major glitch with Office 2016, but this mess since the "upgrade" is the worst I've ever seen.

I twice attempted a System Restore, to take my system back to where it was before the "upgrade," and both times I got a series of error messages.

I am able, from within Word, to use "Open" and navigate to a file and open it. But when I try to open from a folder through Windows Explorer, that's when I get the errors.

This isn't acceptable.  I feel as if I'm trapped in a Mac commercial. 

I work in a law firm, and have to use the same software at home as we use at work, which is why I'm using Windows 10 and Office 2016. 

Thanks to everyone for any feedback or ideas! 

Steve

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2018-05-21T08:26:56+00:00

A few people (myself included) have had problems with MS "improvements" to Win10 breaking default file associations.

Go to this page

OFFICE 2016/2013/365 - KB 2739501 REDIRECTED TO:

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/uninst...

“Best” fix is to use the fixit listed in this article.

Download and run the "fix it" tools specific for Office 2016 AND 2010.

Restart the computer

Re-install 2016

Maybe that will be enough to give Windows the required "kick in the pants" to get it working properly.

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  1. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-05-21T08:19:28+00:00

    There was no need to remove Office 2010. But since, this has already been done, let' forget this now.

    Try repairing your Office 2016 installation. First try Quick Repair (takes 5 - 10 mins) , if that doesn't help then try Online Repair (Takes more than 30 mins but less than 1 hour in general)

    How to repair instructions -

    https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Repair...

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-05-21T08:36:26+00:00

    Yes, the "Quick Repair" of Office 2016 seems to have done the trick.

    Thank you!

    Steve

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