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"Word experienced an error trying to open the file"

Anonymous
2020-08-24T00:52:13+00:00

Hey,

I put all my documents on an USB Stick to empty my MacBook and I deleted all documents on my MacBook. Now I was trying to open one very important document but it didn't work. I can open all the other documents, just the two very important ones not

This is the error message I got:

Word experienced an error trying to open the file.

Try these suggestions.

* Check the file permissions for the document or drive.

* Make sure there is sufficient free memory and disk space.

* Open the file with the Text Recovery converter.

 (Final Review.docx)

What should I do? My Microsoft Version is 16.40.

Thank You!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-08-24T17:33:00+00:00

    Hi Edmund

    I guess you never opened Microsoft Word. There is no "Options" option on the File menu.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-08-24T02:07:47+00:00

    Hey Ed, 

    thanks for reply. I found this page also while searching in google. my problem was that if I open the properties (on my Mac it's "Get Info" a different window opens and there I cannot find the "Unblock" button. Do you know by any chance what I have to click if I open "Get Info"? 

    Best, 

    Nici

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  3. John Korchok 232.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2020-08-25T00:33:38+00:00

    Here's how:

    1. Open Word.
    2. Choose File>Open.
    3. In the dialog, change the Open dropdown (just above the Open button) from Original to Recover Text.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-08-24T03:39:57+00:00

    Hi Nici,

    I'm sorry I didn't know you were opening them again in a MacBook. Let us try to these though:

    • Highlight the file(s) you want to unlock.
    • Hit Command plus I keys or go to File tab then select Get Info.
    • Untick Locked.

    Let me know how it goes.

    Sincerely,

    Edmund A.

    Independent Advisor

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-08-24T01:56:48+00:00

    Hi Nicole,

    I'm Ed, a fellow customer like you & an Independent Advisor.

    There could be several factors causing this issue. The most common among them is a corrupted file. The file must have gotten corrupted when transferred to your USB. However, let's try to perform the steps from the URL below and see if it will make a difference. In most cases, they work. The document says for Word 2007/2010 but this should also work on newer versions.

    How to resolve the problem "Word experienced an error trying to open the file" when opening a Word 2007/2010 file (Easy Fix Article)

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-ph/help/274919...

    (Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)

    Sincerely,

    Edmund A.

    Independent Advisor

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