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Upgraded to word 2021 and (*docx) files won't open

Anonymous
2023-12-06T22:05:57+00:00

Upgraded Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021. Docs w/  file extension *.docx won’t open.  I double click to open – nothing happens. It is not a Trust Center file block problem. The only way I can open is to open a blank Word 2021 doc first,  search for the file I want,  then click on it to open it. The other way I can open the document is to save it as (*odt). Then I can open it. How can I get this resolved.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-06T22:54:08+00:00

    Hi, RonFriedman thank you for coming to the forum, my name is Adekunle.its worth noting that this is a user community and we are all users here. while we strive to assist and share insights we are not microsoft.

    If you're facing issues opening .docx files directly in Microsoft Word after upgrading, you can try the following steps to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

    1. Repair Microsoft Office Installation:
      • Open the Control Panel on your computer.
      • Go to "Programs" and then "Programs and Features."
      • Find "Microsoft Office" in the list, right-click on it, and select "Change."
      • Choose the "Repair" option and follow the prompts to repair the Office installation.
    2. Update Microsoft Office:
      • Ensure that you have the latest updates installed for Microsoft Office. You can do this by opening any Office application, clicking on "File," and then selecting "Account." Check for updates and install any available updates.
    3. Reset File Associations:
      • Right-click on a .docx file.
      • Choose "Open with" > "Choose another app."
      • Select Microsoft Word from the list.
      • Check the box that says "Always use this app to open .docx files."
    4. Check Default Programs:
      • Open the Control Panel.
      • Go to "Default Programs" and then "Set your default programs."
      • Select Microsoft Word and click on "Set this program as default."
    5. Windows Update:
      • Ensure your Windows operating system is up to date by running Windows Update.

    After performing these steps, try opening a .docx file directly. If the issue persists, you may need to check for any third-party applications or antivirus software that could interfere with file associations.

    If the problem continues, please provide more details about your system, any error messages you receive, and any additional software you have installed.

    Best regards Adekunle

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-08T21:51:38+00:00

    Dear Adekunle,

    Thank you for your help. # 1 worked. Thanks for being there people like me.

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