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Excel opens an extra workbook on startup and opens a new instance of Excel when I open files through windows explorer

Anonymous
2013-01-16T09:53:26+00:00

Hi there!

I have a problem which has been frustrating me for a couple of weeks now. I'm posting here as a last resort because I can't find an answer that has worked so far on the net.

Here's my problem:

I have recently upgraded to Excel 2010 (from 2003) - basically all my dreams have come true.

Except for the fact that every time I open an excel file from windows explorer, it opens an extra blank workbook. And every time I open a second file from windows explorer, it starts a new instance of excel (and therefore also a blank workbook again).

Here's the state of affairs:

The DDE checkbox in the Excel options isnt checked.

I have checked the startup folders (searched my harddrive for all of them) and made sure that they dont contain any files - including any hidden files.

I have been to windows explorer > tools > folder options and changed the .xls file extension to open like so:

"C:\Programme\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" "%1" and no DDE message

I've also tried inserting an \e at the end but that didnt work...

I think the original settings were

"C:\Programme\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" \dde %1 with some sort of [open(%1)] DDE message

(the "programme" is because i'm on a german computer)

... and I'm running out of ideas!!

I am the only one with office 2010 at work so I'm only using .xls files for everything. This means that excel always opens in compatibility mode and I'm wondering if that might have something to do with it...

Any help will be richly rewarded with virtual thanks and many internets...

Cheers

W

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-01-22T02:41:18+00:00

    I hope you have already unchecked the option for DDE under Excel> File> Options> Advanced> General.

    The other detail i noticed is that i believe you are using an incorrect slash ()

    Use a forward slash (/) instead of back slash() and check if it makes a difference.

    "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE" /dde

    Make sure this is the value setup in the following registry keys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command(Default)

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\command(Default)

    Note: Be careful while modifying registry keys.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-01-18T13:11:41+00:00

    Hi Marcus

    Thanks for the reply.

    I'm afraid I had no success with your suggestion. I tried running through it twice and made sure not to open any excel documents during the process. 

    To reiterate, the problem is with both .xls and .xlsx files running in Excel 2010.

    If I open an .xls file, it opens a new workbook along with it. If I open a second one through windows explorer, it opens a new instance of excel with its own blank workbook - so i now have 4 files open in 2 instances of excel.

    If I open an .xlsx file, it also opens a blank workbook along with it but opening a second one does not start a new instance of excel - so i only have 3 files open in the same excel thingy.

    Any other suggestions? Hammer to the hard drive perhaps?

    Thanks for your help

    W

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-01-18T08:37:54+00:00

    Do you face this issue with XLS or XLSX files?

    If XLS, delete the following registry keys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.xls

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.xls

    For XLSX, delete the following registry keys:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.xlsx

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.xlsx

    Once done, repair Office 2010.

    Note: Back up registry before modifying its contents.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-01-17T09:47:41+00:00

    Hi!

    Many thanks for your reply.

    I tried following the tips on changing the registry. This works much more reliably than changing the file opening options through windows explorer and I was finally able to notice what effect the various additions to the opening path do consistently (eg. %1 or /e)

    Here's what I did in the following registry entries :

    1. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.8\shell\Open\command
    2. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet.12\shell\Open\command
    3. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.SheetBinaryMacroEnabled.12\shell\Open\command
    4. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.SheetMacroEnabled.12\shell\Open\command
    5. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Template.8\shell\Open\command
    6. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.TemplateMacroEnabled\shell\Open\command
    7. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Template\shell\Open\command

    I added /e or /dde after the file path and deleted the rest. The result was that opening an excel file from windows explorer opened an empty workbook. Trying to open a second file opened a second instance of excel with a blank workbook.

    I then deleted the /dde and added "%1" after the file name and this opens a blank workbook along with the one I want opened. Opening a second one does the same thing in a new instance of excel.

    I also tried a combination of the two (eg. /dde "%1") and this had the same effect as just "%1" on its own.

    Is there anything else I could try??

    Thanks in advance

    W

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-01-17T01:03:20+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for posting the question in Microsoft Community.

    Regarding Excel application opening a new instance everytime a file is opened, you may follow the steps provided by ‘abenitoc’ post in the thread link mentioned below and check if that helps:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2010-office_install/disable-excel-2010-from-opening-files-in-multiple/daee01f3-3e08-455b-a7dd-9cdb2ceadf44?page=2

    Registry Disclaimer: Modifying REGISTRY settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of REGISTRY settings can be solved. Modifications of these settings are at your own risk.

    For further queries, reply and we will be happy help you.

    Thanks.

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