Word desktop Microsoft 365 (64 bit) document opens very slowly - unable to correct

Petrula 26 Reputation points
2023-02-07T20:48:15.4766667+00:00

*** Problem ***

I have a large DOCM word file (11,385 KB) named "Notes.docm" which I edit on Word desktop 2019 (32 bit) and Word desktop 2016 (32 bit) on Windows 10 Pro computers.

 

I now also need to edit it on Word desktop Microsoft 365 (64 bit) on Windows 11 Pro.

 

When I open it on Word desktop 2019 (32 bit), it takes only 24 seconds to load and process.

When I open it on Word desktop Microsoft 365 (64 bit), it takes 2.5 minutes to load and process!

 

Supposedly documents are interchangeable between 32-bit and 64-bit Office according to Can I use 64bit Word docs in 32 bit Word?

 

Using Word safe mode, I tried to correct the situation by repairing DOCM, converting DOCM to RTF to DOCM, and converting DOCM to DOCX, but none of these worked. It still takes 2.5 minutes to load and process on Word desktop Microsoft 365 (64 bit).

 

Curiously, if I open "Notes.rtf" on Word desktop Microsoft 365 (64 bit), it needs only 15 seconds to load and process. Therefore, Word desktop Microsoft 365 (64 bit) likes "Notes.rtf" but opens "Notes.docm" or "Notes.docx" very slowly. The question is why?

 

I appreciate any feedback in solving this problem.

 

*** Software ***

Microsoft Word 2019 MSO (16.0.10394.20022) 32-bit

Windows 10 Pro, Version 21H2, OS build 19044.2486

 

Microsoft Word 2016 (16.0.5369.1000) MSO (16.0.5366.1000) 32-bit

Windows 10 Pro, Version 22H2, OS build 19045.2486

 

Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2301 Build 16.0.16026.20002) 64-bit

Windows 11 Pro, Version 22H2, OS build 22621.1194

 

*** The following provides the details of my workflow. ***

 

*** Repairing DOCM

In Word desktop 2019 (32 bit) on Windows 10 Pro, open Word in safe mode. Then open "Notes.docm" using "open and repair". Message dialog says it successfully repaired a few Style issues. Save "Notes.docm".

Run "Notes.docm" using Word desktop Microsoft 365 (64 bit) on Windows 11 Pro. It still takes 2.5 minutes to load and process! Not good.

 

*** Converting DOCM to RTF to DOCM

In Word desktop 2019 (32 bit) on Windows 10 Pro, open repaired "Notes.docm" in Word safe mode. Save as "Notes.rtf". In Word safe mode, open "Notes.rtf", save as "Notes.docm".

Run "Notes.docm" using Word desktop Microsoft 365 (64 bit) on Windows 11 Pro. It still takes 2.5 minutes to load and process! Not good.

 

*** Converting DOCM to DOCX

In Word desktop 2019 (32 bit) on Windows 10 Pro, open repaired "Notes.docm" in Word safe mode. Save as "Notes.docx".

Run "Notes.docx" using Word desktop Microsoft 365 (64 bit) on Windows 11 Pro. It still takes 2.5 minutes to load and process! Not good.

 

Word
Word
A family of Microsoft word processing software products for creating web, email, and print documents.
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  1. Emily Hua-MSFT 27,526 Reputation points
    2023-02-08T08:38:02.14+00:00

    Hi @Petrula

    Does the .docm file come from Internet?

    I suggest you add the file location as a trusted location in Microsoft 365 apps to check this issue.

    Besides, it's recommended to go to Word > File > Add-ins > Manage COM add-in > Go > Clear all checkboxes, click OK. Then restart Word application, open this .docm file.

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  2. Petrula 26 Reputation points
    2023-02-09T01:01:48.2533333+00:00

    Trusted location did not solve the problem.

    Unchecking Manage COM add-in did not solve the problem.