Office "The operating system is not presently configured to run this application"

Tutek 716

Hello,

we have such problem that some computers suddenly stopped opening excel (version 15.0.5589.1001) documents directly, the programme opens but is empty without any document. If you open a document in the program by pointing to it from the computer, it opens. In the properties of excel files it is stated that the file is opened with "appvlp", if I change here manually to excel by pointing to excel.exe from the program files directory, then the program does not start at all showing an error: "The operating system is not presently configured to run this application".

Did not help these steps:

-quick office repair

-online office repair

-reset of default applications in windows.

Please help.

Nigel Adams 120 Reputation points

2023-09-19T16:53:51.85+00:00

Exactly the same issue as above, started 19th September worked fine previous day. Default program for Excel files is appvlp.exe. When try and set to Excel exe get same error message.

Did quick and online office repairs. Uninstalled Office and reinstalled. Didn't fix

Excel 2013 version version 15.0.5589.1001.

I notice Word 2013 doesn't have this issue. Uses same appvlp.exe default program but opens fine showing document. (version 15.0.5589.1001).
TCI 140 Reputation points

2023-09-19T17:39:30.31+00:00

Same issue happening today for me.
Paris Paraskeva 55 Reputation points

2023-09-19T18:51:09.6033333+00:00

Same issue also.

did all the above also but issue with excel still remains

-quick office repair

-online office repair

-reset of default applications in windows.
Alistair Young 55 Reputation points

2023-09-19T19:06:28.5366667+00:00

Same problem here - one minute it was fine, the next it wasn't.

Same Excel version as mentioned previously: 15.0.5589.1001.

Tried all the same things mentioned by Tutek.
Tom Isabelle 125 Reputation points

2023-09-19T20:27:02.14+00:00

They need to fix this! I am having the same issue with 64 bit. I cannot just switch to 32 bit.
Crystal I 35 Reputation points

2023-09-19T20:29:44.69+00:00

BIG HUGE PROBLEM!!!!! Microsoft needs to fix this. Same issue for me today with my 64 bit version of Excel.
Arianna Cisneros 20 Reputation points

2023-09-19T20:31:09.5366667+00:00

The same issue happening with 64-bit!! MS HELP PLEASE!!
JHKW 30 Reputation points

2023-09-19T20:35:22.21+00:00

Same issues and experiences as others regarding Excel. Fine yesterday but problems starting today 9/19/23.

Key finding was noticing existing and new shortcuts to existing files are now set to open with appvlc, so opening with those shortcuts causes only Excel program to open and not that worksheet.

Requires other steps to get some files to actually open. Using today's listings in Recent Workbooks seems to be one way. Directly opening a file after browsing seems hit and miss...

Have still not found a way to create actionable shortcuts, for all are set to open with appvlc yet don't proceed beyond just opening the Excel program.

FWIW I'm (still) using a local copy of Office 2013 on my Win10 machine. Even though it's not supported by MS, it's still all I need for light duty personal stuff...a subscription to online 365 would be overkill + unnecessary recurring expense, etc.. My MS account supposedly has a backup copy of my Office that I presume I could access if I decided to uninstall and try to reinstall a fresh copy of Office. But I'd really prefer to debug the software I have invested in vs. migrating to 365 thereafter. Plus, since whatever caused this bug to happen happened to others with newer versions of Office, I'd like to find the cause plus resolution rather than potentially setting myself to again 'reinfect' a fresh reinstall...
TCI 140 Reputation points

2023-09-19T23:18:55.9766667+00:00

I was on a call with Microsoft Tier 2 Support for several hours today. Though he found no solution, he told me that Microsoft engineers will not touch a case unless there are more than 10 commenters on it. If this is affecting others you work with, have everyone post here on this.
Jaison Jose 235 Reputation points

2023-09-19T23:38:38.5433333+00:00

I have the same issue and their new version 15.0.5589.1001(September 12) is the issue as I resolved it by reverting to version 15.0.5571.1000 (July 11).

Now they have 10 comments to start working!
Mike Orlando 36 Reputation points

2023-09-20T01:08:48.7266667+00:00

Same situation for me. I have multiple computers running Office 2013 on Windows 10. The AM of 9/19 two users started having issues launching Microsoft Outlook and one Outlook and Excel from their desktops, but could open from start menu.

I also noted that AppVLP was now running the Office EXE from the start menu icon. Workbooks are not loading regardless.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\client\AppVLP.exe

I reviewed the Reddit post as well and my Advanced Option > Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) check box was already unchecked.

This does seem to affect the x64 installation. I wouldn't look forward to reinstalling Office x32 and not knowing if that would be the fix. Is this the push to update these systems to a more current Office release?
Jaison Jose 235 Reputation points

2023-09-20T03:46:12.7933333+00:00

Temporary fix using Command Prompt:

If you have MS office 2013 64 bit version, you need to revert from version 15.0.5589.1001(September 12) to 15.0.5571.1000 (July 11). Please take steps below before running command prompt.

First, disable office updates: Open any Office app and navigate to File > Account > Update Options > Disable Updates. (You can enable this later when new update becomes available from Microsoft)

Next, open Command Prompt in admin mode.

Lastly, Copy & paste command line below and press enter

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX64\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=15.0.5571.1000

Office update will download and install update 15.0.5571.1000 and a confirmation will appear on your screen.
Marius Gibavičius | Zorvidas UAB 30 Reputation points

2023-09-20T07:37:56.8866667+00:00

Open an elevated command prompt (run cmd.exe as administrator)

Change to the Office 2013 click-to-run base folder:

cd "%programfiles%\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX64"

Revert to version 15.0.5571.1000, which does not have this bug:

officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=15.0.5571.1000
Ladislav Nagy 0 Reputation points

2023-09-20T08:29:39.41+00:00

the same problem, from 19.9 on 2 computers.. with excel 2013
Kevin Chui 15 Reputation points

2023-09-20T09:01:36.86+00:00

I have the same problem and get the solution here. also update the solution with some screenshot on my blog

https://kcshares.blogspot.com/2023/09/applvpexe-problem-cannot-open-excel.html
Urząd Gminy 0 Reputation points

2023-09-20T10:17:21.9733333+00:00

The same problem starts from 19.09.2023
PlayMan 0 Reputation points

2023-09-20T11:53:25.6066667+00:00

This happened today to me!!
I followed your steps, step by step and it worked perfectly.

You saved my day. You really saved me.

Thank you, and thank you and .......... thank you.

And ........ again thank you !!!!!

God bless you!
James Reinmiller 0 Reputation points

2023-09-20T14:12:23.9233333+00:00

Exact same problem. Apparently a flawed update? Didn't have yesterday 9/19, tried opening Excel 2013 today, 9/20 and getting same error "System not currently configured..." WTF?
Claire Wing 10 Reputation points

2023-09-20T17:47:40.3+00:00
This worked for me on 9-20-23.

WORD opened fine from the taskbar shortcut icon, so I only did this to PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook by first unpinning each from taskbar, then re-pinning each to taskbar again. I got this idea from reading Joey Eury's great quick fix suggestion that enabled us to access these apps. So, after unpinning and re-pinning each app now opens directly from my again taskbar, and I no longer get the 'Error' message we have all gotten. I DID A TEST RUN on 'POWERPOINT' BEFORE UNPINNING EACH ICON FROM THE TASKBAR:

Click START

Scroll down to 'Microsoft Office 2013' and click the tiny drop down arrow to the right

RIGHT CLICK - NOT REGULAR CLICK - the app you are dealing with [Outlook, Excel, Word, or PowerPoint]

A grey 'Drop Up' box appears.

At the TOP, click the RIGHT pointing arrow next to "More"

Click 'Unpin From Taskbar'

REPEAT step 5 by clicking the RIGHT pointing arrow again, and this time click "Pin to Taskbar"

VOILA!!! Thank you Joey Eury's for your great suggestion!!!
Karen Turner 0 Reputation points

2023-09-21T00:05:33.24+00:00

I only had an issue with outlook. Excel and Word worked fine. As with everyone else worked finea day or 2 ago. Many thanks to those of you who posted the line command to back off the update, worked great!
Emma Wilkin 0 Reputation points

2023-09-21T08:48:32.87+00:00

I had the same problem. The unpinning/repinning thing seemed to work for me, eventually. Well done, Microsoft – as a self-employed person you just cost me an hour’s worth of work trying to figure this out.
Jaison Jose 235 Reputation points

2023-09-21T13:43:30.4066667+00:00

First, disable office updates: Open any Office app and navigate to File > Account > Update Options > Disable Updates. (You can enable this later when new update becomes available from Microsoft)

Next, open Command Prompt in admin mode.

Lastly, Copy & paste command line below and press enter

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX64\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=15.0.5571.1000

Office update will download and install update 15.0.5571.1000 and a confirmation will appear on your screen.

PS: I see people reporting that the update 15.0.5571.1000 didn't work in some cases. I myself tried Aug 8 version first, and it didn't work, that is how I ended up using 15.0.5571.1000. So, if this version is not working for you, please try changing to lower version by changing the version number in the command line above.

See the link to the full list of office 2013 updates below.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-2013
LGW 0 Reputation points

2023-09-21T17:10:16.27+00:00

My outlook mail will not open. I use 2013 64bit and NOT 365 or anything newer and do not wan to - any idea how to fix what MS BROKE??? MS - thanks for ruining my system, day and ability to work.
David Kilburn 0 Reputation points

2023-09-21T19:31:58.28+00:00

Office automatically decided to reload itself and it now finally works BUT will not accept my registration details. So now I've got an unlicensed product. It was fine three days ago. WTH Microsoft!
David Kilburn 0 Reputation points

2023-09-21T19:39:01.9033333+00:00

Will not accept product key# for registration or my email address, although it recognises both...
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Brad Burt 0 Reputation points

2023-09-21T22:34:12.54+00:00

Krzyszof's solution below worked. Thank you!
Erickson, Norman 0 Reputation points

2023-09-21T23:55:54.98+00:00

I am the IT admin for a small rural hospital and we still have devices with Office 2010 and up. I am tired of cleaning up after Microsoft failures. This has affected multiple staff and we need a REAL fix. As a one man team I can't go around to every PC and hack fix based on whatever version is installed. FIX IT.
JackG-2081 0 Reputation points

2023-09-22T00:22:05.11+00:00

Worked like a charm. Excel xls's open fine now with what ever appvlp is. Now I hope the mal-update won't get reloaded at next update.
Dan Hill 0 Reputation points

2023-09-22T15:20:53.4633333+00:00

Here is a simple solution. Unpin the Microsoft office shortcuts from the taskbar. From the Start menu, scroll down to the Microsoft Office folder, open and right-click on Word/Excel/PPT, select more and pin to taskbar. this worked for me and stayed even after a restart and a shut down.
Radim 0 Reputation points

2023-09-22T17:13:16.55+00:00

The same issue. Started today.
Jodie Brown 0 Reputation points

2023-09-22T18:09:39.28+00:00

I am having the same problem with Outlook
Angele Beeman 0 Reputation points

2023-09-22T20:10:04.1533333+00:00

Unpinning the shortcuts has not worked for me. I wish they would come up with a solution; this is affecting way too many users.
Garret Anthony 0 Reputation points

2023-09-22T23:17:01.96+00:00

I had this issue with my entire Office 2013 and was not able to run any of the apps but this worked for me:

Run CMD as admin:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX64\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=15.0.5571.1000

All apps working and then disable office updates: Open any Office app and navigate to File > More > Account > Update Options > Disable Updates.
Robert Davis 0 Reputation points

2023-09-23T03:34:45.33+00:00

This is happening to my excel, outlook, word and pp. What's the best fix for this? running MS Office 2013, windows 10 OS
Iacopo Benesperi 0 Reputation points

2023-09-24T11:49:21.21+00:00

I had the same problem happening today: W10, Office 2013 x64, Excel stopped opening documents when double clicking on them. I reinstalled Office before finding this thread to no avail. Glad I had the issues a couple of days late and I could find the solution here! Now if only we could get a proper fix...
Furoba 0 Reputation points

2023-09-25T11:52:43.7966667+00:00

Experiencing the same issue with 64-bit excel 2013 on WIN10.
"The operating system is not currently configured to run this application".

Hope we can get a fix from Microsoft soon.
Anonymous

2023-09-26T14:38:15.4766667+00:00

This worked perfect for me.. Thanks for the information. My stress levels are back to normal now!
Bill Brehm 0 Reputation points

2023-09-28T02:56:38.16+00:00

Same problem here. Both my Win19 desktop and my Win11 laptop. Bother started having this problem at the same time.

Dydy Rocha 0

Hello, I am from Paraguay, and I have the same problem... I have been looking for tutorials since 09/28 in Spanish without success... there is no support whatsoever... The only thing that helped me was to run Excel as administrator or safe mode and from there, choose the file I want to use... It appeared completely gray... I am very angry that in this way they are forcing us to acquire Microsoft 365. I am a teacher and the value is very expensive for my current possibilities, I only have this version because it was a gift from my father.

Andy Wright 0 Reputation points

2023-10-02T15:37:16.39+00:00

If you're using the 32 bit version of Office then the marked solution may not help - I think that it's specific to the 64 bit version. There's an article here: https://www.repairwin.com/how-to-revert-office-to-a-previous-version-microsoft-365-office-2021-2019-2016-2013/ that explains how to revert to older version of 32 bit or 64 bit versions of Office and also how to tell them apart. You could try following these instructions to revert to version 15.0.5571.1000
Russ Stamm 0 Reputation points

2023-10-07T00:28:25.99+00:00

Has anyone heard when this Excel issue will be resolved by Microsoft? Outside of this thread, I cannot find any information.
anantha padmanaban 0 Reputation points

2023-10-11T03:03:51.4833333+00:00

the list of programs in Default programs does not contain .Office 2013 or Excel 2013.but ony .applvp. what is this applvp ? how to get office 2013 in the default list
Jacob 0 Reputation points

2023-10-11T03:20:54.91+00:00

Applvp will open the Excel file...but you need to change the registry. See Oliver Pota's post on the registry fix to modify the shell open commands for excel.
Russ Stamm 0 Reputation points

2023-10-12T13:54:40.69+00:00

Any permanent update from Microsoft yet?
Jacob 0 Reputation points

2023-10-12T14:10:40.7033333+00:00

Russ - haven't heard anything but changing the shell open commands for excel in the registry is a permanent fix.
Tin Aleksič 0 Reputation points

2023-10-26T08:30:09.9333333+00:00

Is there any news, that Miscrosoft is gonna fix this?
Tin Aleksič 0 Reputation points

2023-10-26T08:32:36.5666667+00:00

Is there any news, that Microsoft is gonna fix their fuckup?
ANANTHAPADMANABAN paramasivam 0 Reputation points

2023-10-26T09:48:35.3266667+00:00

thank you, the problem is solved. So no more suggstionto be sent.
Philippe Dailly 0 Reputation points

2023-10-31T18:42:29.46+00:00

Thanks, you saved my ~~day~~ month !
Alberto Losada G 0 Reputation points

2023-12-17T16:47:46.8766667+00:00

Well, this seems a popular problem.

I´m using Office 2019, Windows 10 updated, and a decent laptop. In the morning I was using PowerPoint and, hours later after this use, all Office programs stopped working. No new installations in the meantime, nothing.

After a full day tinkering and executing all possible solutions found online, now when trying to open any Office program it show the deadly message "operating system is not configured to run this application"

Beforehand (before uninstalling Office with Microsoft´s dedicated tool) after clicking the Word (or any other) icon it showed nothing. No messages, no program opening. But I could see it "running" in the Task Manager.

So I again uninstalled Office 2019, and bought a 2021 Professional Pro. Now I´m enjoying again the "operating system is not configured to run this application" error message.

One of the dozens webites I visited suggested, at the very end of the article, to consider alternatives to Microsoft Office ....

Let´s hope the engineers find a way to fix this annoying, time-consuming problem.

(could be a nice Christmas present ;-)

Regards,

Alberto

36 answers

Ian.Hsu 0 Reputation points

2023-09-20T03:22:25.9333333+00:00

Same issue also.

did all the above also but issue with excel still remains

-quick office repair

-online office repair

-reset of default applications in windows.
Please sign in to rate this answer.
eddy 0 Reputation points

2023-09-20T03:25:25.8633333+00:00

Same issue also.

did all the above also but issue with excel still remains

-quick office repair

-online office repair

-reset of default applications in windows.
Sign in to comment
eddy 0 Reputation points

2023-09-20T03:25:34.3866667+00:00

Same issue also.

did all the above also but issue with excel still remains

-quick office repair

-online office repair

-reset of default applications in windows.
Please sign in to rate this answer.
Marius Gibavičius | Zorvidas UAB 30 Reputation points

2023-09-20T07:11:52.8266667+00:00

Fix for office 2023 64bit revert to older version helps

run cmd as administrator and run commands

Change to the Office 2013 click-to-run base folder:

cd "%programfiles%\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX64"

Revert to version 15.0.5571.1000, which does not have this bug:

officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=15.0.5571.1000

Paris Paraskeva 55 Reputation points

2023-09-20T07:15:43.9866667+00:00

hi Marius

this work for me.

thanks

Marco Bittinelli 5 Reputation points

2023-09-20T08:22:38.4866667+00:00

Same issue here. Don't wanna make troubles changing files, uninstall, reinstall etc, so I hope Ms going to fix it soon

Adrian Jarvis 1 Reputation point

2023-09-24T07:37:24.0266667+00:00

Same problems here. Does anyone know if this is going to be fixed?
Sign in to comment
Ward De Backer 5 Reputation points

2023-09-20T09:54:37.85+00:00
I think I found an easy temporary fix without the need to revert to an older update or re-installing Office:

I had the same problem when opening a .xlsx file from a shortcut on my desktop in Windows 10: file doesn't open and you see a blank screen in Excel 2013 (build 15.0.5589.1001)

when opening Excel first from the Windows start menu and opening the .xlsx file from Excel using File - Open works as expected

what I found out (as a temporary fix): first open your Excel from the start menu without opening anything, keep it open & minimize it: your .xlsx shortcuts will open again as expected!
Please sign in to rate this answer.
Joseph W 0 Reputation points

2023-09-20T12:31:20.8+00:00

Experience the same issue here. Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 22H2 with Micrososft Office 2013 Home & Business Ed. After update Microsoft Office 2013 to September 2023 update. The Error appreared - "The operating system is not presently configured to run this application." So have to rollback to Office 2013 July 2023 update. MS please look into and resolve !!!
Sign in to comment
Deleted

This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

Comments have been turned off. Learn more
Joey Eury 0 Reputation points

2023-09-20T15:55:21.34+00:00

Random office 2013 users started having this problem the night of the 18th and more starting the morning of the 19th. It has to be something Microsoft changed on how word and excel check in for activation or something. There were no updates or changes of any kind on any of these computers.

I am able to open the programs from the start menu but desktop or other shortcuts will not work saying "this operating system isn't properly configured to run this program", or a document shortcut will bring up a blank document only. If I open excel or word from the start menu first, then I can pick a recent document or go to file, open and find a document and it will open correctly.

Microsoft PLEASE FIX!!!!
Please sign in to rate this answer.
Claire Wing 10 Reputation points

2023-09-20T18:04:24.76+00:00

Joey you inspired me to try the following that WORKED:

Pick an app on Taskbar that generated the 'Error' message upon trying to open. I'll use Excel in my example

Open START

Scroll down to 'Microsoft Office 2013' and click the tiny Down Arrow at the right

RIGHT CLICK [not regular click] on 'Excel'

At TOP of grey box that opens go to 'More' and click 'Unpin from Taskbar'

Again, RIGHT CLICK on 'Excel', go to 'More' and click 'Pin to Taskbar'

When I did this to each Office app, each successfully opened from my Taskbar again

Thanks Joey for the inspiration
Sign in to comment

Share via

Office "The operating system is not presently configured to run this application"

36 answers