Error message Word cannot open the existing file

Hello,

Sounds like that converter corrupted your global template file. Try this first:

Close Word completely. Press Windows + R on your keyboard, type %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates and press Enter. Locate the file named Normal.dotm. Right-click it and rename it to Normal.dotm.old.

Open Word again. It should create a fresh template automatically, which should clear up those pop-ups. Let me know if this works!

The error message you are encountering, "Word cannot open the existing file C:\Users[my name]\AppData...\Normal.dotm," suggests that the global template file, Normal.dotm, may be corrupt or there may be issues with the configuration of Microsoft Word. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:

1. Rename Normal.dotm:
   • Search for the file Normal.dotm in your system, typically located at %userprofile%\appdata\roaming\microsoft\templates.
   • Right-click on Normal.dotm and rename it to Oldword.old.
   • Restart Word and check if the issue persists.
2. Change the Document Template:
   • Open the damaged document in Word.
   • Go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
   • In the Manage box, select Templates and click Go.
   • Select Attach, find Normal.dotm, and open it.
   • Click OK to close the dialog box and restart Word.
3. Start Word with Default Settings:
   • Exit Word and run it using the /a switch to start with default settings. You can do this by searching for Run, typing winword.exe /a, and pressing Enter.
   • Open the document again to see if the pop-ups have stopped.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider checking for any remaining settings or files related to the Microsoft Works converter that may still be affecting Word.