Making Office 2013 the default program

Question

My new laptop came with Office 2010 but I never activated it.   I have been using an older version of Office and leapfrogged to the new Office 2013 which I had installed right away.  The problem is that my files won't use it as the default program.  When I click on a file from my documents, it wants to use Office 2010 but recognizes that I need to by it or use it as a trial.   How can I make 2013 the default program?

Thanks.

Answer 1

This was helpful.  I took out the Office 2010, did the repairs and the Office 2013 works better now but it still will not find the right program if I select a Word or Excel file to open first.  If I open the Word or excel program first, I can select a file to work on from my docs and it works okay.  It would be really nice to be able to select the file first, and have it open the corresponding program.  Any ideas?

Answer 2

It looks to me like your messages approximately translate into the english equivalent of “Windows cannot find ‘FilePath\FileName’, Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.”  or one of the other messages below. 

Try they fixes suggested below:

“There was a problem sending the command to the program”“There was a problem sending a command to the program"“Windows cannot find ‘FilePath\FileName’, Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.”Cannot find the file ‘path’ (or one of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) setting

**http://support.microsoft.com/kb/211494**

some other options

<snip>

Try doing an Office Repair

**http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg998767.aspx#BKMK\_OfficeRepair** Office 365 (2013) - Repair is same as earlier versions

</snip>

<snip>

I finally got fed up looking for Microsoft to fix this issue and decided to try the regedit solution and went online to find this again but could not locate this thread until after I had already found another solution that removed the /dde from the default string and replaced it with “%1” and changed the name of the ddeexe folder where yours replaces the command string with “%D”

I tried both and when I use the “%D” I was still receiving the warning but the file did open so I went with the other option

Here is the other link in case others need this fix as well

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/c42f825d-b7e8-48c8-b5af-30563b839f09/windows-7-cannot-run-multiple-instances-of-excel-using-ignore-other-applications-that-use-dde?forum=officesetupdeploylegacy

I did this for both entries

Excel.Sheet.12

Excel.Sheet.8

Again this is Windows 7 64-bit with Excel 2013 in case others have an older version of Excel I believe there will only be Excel.Sheet.8

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<snip>

Have been using Excel 2010 for the past four weeks. Today, I went to open Excel documents in My Documents, I received the “*problem sending the command to the program”*message. I was able to open Excel files previously with no problem and I am able to open Word and PowerPoint documents without a problem. However, I am currently able to open Excel documents that are in Recent Workbooks. Suggestions please. Thanks!

Try the steps given below:

1. Browse to the following location:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office 14                       32-bit  2010

C:\Program Files(x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12                64-bit 2007

2. Locate the file EXCEL.EXE
3. Right click on the file and then click on the Properties option
4. Click on the Compatibility tab
5. Uncheck ‘Run this program in compatibility mode

6.  Uncheck ‘Run this program as an administrator’

7. Click Ok

8.  Verify the status.

</snip>

NOTE:

As of now, the Compatibility tab for Office 2013 executable file is not available on Windows 8.1. However, as a workaround you may try using the Troubleshoot Compatibilityfeature and see if it helps:

Go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\root\office15 and right click on Excel.exe and select TroubleshootCompatibility.

If you think availability of Compatibility tab for Office 2013 executable file is important and want Microsoft to include it, provide your feedback through the following link:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-US/suggestions.aspx?origin=FX101741961&CTT=114

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I recently upgraded my office to 2010 from 2007 after that i am unable to open any .xls files created by previous version

1. Open Excel 2010.
2. Click on File > Options.
3. Select Trust Center > Trust center settings.
4. Select Protected view.
5. Uncheck all the options under Protected View > OK.
6. Restart Excel 2010 and try to open Excel documents.

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<snip>

1. Click the Office (2007) button.
2. Click Excel Options.
3. Click Advanced.
4. Scroll down to the General section.
5. Make sure that the check box “Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)” is clear (not ticked).
6. Click OK.

</snip>

<snip>

I have developed exactly the same problem today and have carried out the steps outlined above.  Neither of the checkboxes mentioned above were checked.

I found another suggestion to make sure “Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)” is unchecked.  Sure enough, it was checked and this tip worked.

In 15 years of using Excel I’ve never turned that off so how did it happen?!

The only recent update was a Windows Live upgrade.

</snip>

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<snip>

Rechecked my notes and traced the problem to an incompatible printer driver.  Used System Restore to go to prior to the driver install and Word works normally.  Now have problem with document not laying out correctly

</snip>

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<snip>

Hey thanks not quite the same issue but the right pointer,

The compatibility mode was set to XP SP 2, so I changed it on both excel and word to Win7 and they are both now working thanks so much this isuse has been killing me.

</snip>

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**http://www.dilloway.co.uk/there-was-a-problem-sending-the-command.html******

<Snip>The problem was not related to the file or its content.  I could stop the message by changing the name of the file to end .doc without changing the format of the file content.

I searched for and found many suggested fixes for the problem ... and none of the fixes worked for me.  I eventually fixed the message “There was a problem sending the command to the program” with a change in the registry.  I edited “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document.12\shell\Open “ and deleted the “ddeexec” key.  The “ddeexec” key can also be deleted from “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.DocumentMacroEnabled.12\shell\Open”.  A similar change may work for earlier versions of Word. 

For Word 2013, you can change the registry by right-clicking and saving  this file ...

Double-click the file after downloading to update the registry.  WARNING ... It is you that knows the situation of your own computer.  I cannot know about your computer and cannot be responsible for any unintended consequnces.  I have tested this process and I am confident that it is safe. 

</snip>

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<snip>

Basically I needed to be able to run all my macro enabled workbooks as administrator (because for some reason using adobe functionality in macros requires this), so I was not willing too succumb to having to run excel manually in Administrator mode every time I wanted to open a file.

when I changed the default for Excel.exe to always run as administrator, I would be unable to open an Excel file directly. I would either receive the “There was a problem sending the command to the program.” Error or Excel would just open with no workbook. Then I would have to select the office button and open the file from within Excel.

I had a play with a shortcut to my excel file that used the Excel.exe application with the Filename as a parameter...Strangely this actually worked. So I next went into Windows Registry and amended all of my parameters for excel files to do this.

Here is how you can do it in Windows 7/8:

1. Allow the excel application to default to Run As Administrator.
2. Press the Windows Key and R to open the run cmd line ... Type in regedit

   ***Warning editing Registry Values can cause serious harm to your computer***

3. Navigate to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT directory and locate your excel file extensions

   NB: Depending on your version of excel, these might be listed under the extension (.xlsm etc) or at the bottom by file type name (Excel.Macro.Worksheet.12 etc)

4. Navigate to the Shell>Open>Command property and right click on the command value (right hand section) and click modify.
5. At the end of the line of jibberish you will find a parameter (usually /e). Replace this value with “%D” including quotation marks.

NB: What this does is runs the Excel application with the full Filename and path of the file that you have tried to open as the parameter.

6. Repeat this for all excel extensions that have a Shell>Open>Command property.
7. Close Regedit, and test out your work by double-clicking on any excel file.

Hope this helps.

Sercho.

</snip>

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<snip "There was a problem sending a command to the program" not resolved >

This issue we faced on Excel 2010 on Windows 7 32bit machine. When double clicked on the Excel files on Desktop, it's throwing same “There was a problem sending a command to the program" 

We have executed all the steps machined in the articles.: but not resolved the issue.

Finally the issue is resolved by removing the Add-Ins. available on the Excel - Options -Add-Ins.

• Go into Excel Options > Advanced > General
• Untick the box next to "Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)"
• Then Go into Excel Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > External Content
• Enable both
• Then Excel Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Options
• Enable all macros, trust the VBA object
• Then Excel Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > ActiveX Settings
• Set to Enable or Prompt
• Then Excel Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options
• Untick the box next to "Check Microsoft Office Documents that are from or link to suspicious websites."

<snip>

Answer 3

Dear friends

Any above solutions fix my problem.

Here I attached a picture with several messages from excel.

Thanks

Answer 4

Here are a bunch different ways of setting Windows default file associations. One should work for you

File will not open on double click - File Association

Note: if you have the Click-To-Run installation of Office Starter and you have “normal” installation of other version of Office you have to decide which version is going to have file association. Only one can be invoked by double clicking on file. Normally that would not be Starter.

Try repairing your Office installation, for example via Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.

Repair or remove Office 2010 - http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/repair-or-remove-office-2010-HA010357402.aspx?CTT=1

Re-register the application

There are several different ways you can reset the proper file associations. Word itself provides a way to do it. Open a command prompt window and, at the command line, enter the following:

winword /r

This invokes part of the installation process. It is good for all apps in the 2010 Office bundle. Word will reregister itself back in Windows. In the process, it resets the file associations for the files it uses, such as DOC and DOT files. You can close the command prompt window and double-click on a document; Word should start right up.

Alternate Re-register the application

(Note: You may have to adjust the path to the EXE to match your installation. Verify the path before running the command.)

Close the app. Open the Run Window: <WIN > R, use the following command (Modify the Path to match your specific installation):

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\winword.exe" /unregserver

The quotes are necessary, but you may need to change the path so it reflects the location of the winword.exe file on your system. (You can use Windows’ Search tool to locate the path to the winword.exe file.) The /unregserver switch “unhooks” all the references to Word in the Windows Registry.

You should then, immediately, use the following command:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\winword.exe" /regserver

This command causes Word to rewrite all its Registry keys and to reassociate itself with document and template files. Now you can double-click a document file and see if Windows starts Word and opens the document.

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Re Register  re-register – regserver batch file

Make sure the path is correct for your installation. I have put these files into a BAT file on my desktop so I can run it as needed.

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2010\Office14\winword.exe" /unregserver

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2010\Office14\winword.exe" /regserver

Pause

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2010\Office14\excel.exe" /unregserver

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 2010\Office14\excel.exe" /regserver

Pause

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Quick Determine Office applications path

·        open Excel

·        open the Visual Basic Editor (aka VBE)

·        open the Immediate window, Ctrl-g (also in the View menu)

·        type or paste the following in the Immediate window

?application.path

·        With the cursor at the end of the line, ie after "path", hit Enter

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Set Click to Run (CTR) to be Default File Association

·        Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the file.

·        Right click the file (i.e. doc) and select Properties.

·        Now click on the general tab and select open with change.

·        Change ''Microsoft Office 2010 Component'' to "Microsoft Office Client Virtualization Handler".

If that doesn't work, try:

This page has instructions, with pictures, on how to use builtin windows tools to fix file associations:

http://www.worldstart.com/how-to-set-defaults-successfully/print/

If that doesn't work, try:

There is a freeware tool called  Default Programs Editor. It brings many of the default settings into one place: http://defaultprogramseditor.com/

Need to associate the file type with program:

In Win7:

1. Right-click the file,
2. Select "Open With"   select [Your Program Here]
3. Check always use this program.

In Windows XP:

1. Locate the file as you have described above
2. Right click the file
3. Select Open with from the pop-up menu
4. Click Choose default program…
5. Select Excel in the Recommended Programs box
6. Check Always use the selected program to open this kind of file
7. Click on OK.

Alternate method of associating file type with program:

·        Click Start

·        type cmd in the run dialog box then press ok.

·        On the command prompt line type "control panel" without the quotation marks.

·        In control panel > folder options > file types > new (button) in the new window click advanced.

·        In the file extension dialog box type the file extension to fix, ie: exe.

·        In the drop down menu locate and select application > click ok.

Sometimes one of these works when you're having trouble with double clicking on the file in windows explorer:

(xl2003 menus) - Tools|Options|General|Uncheck "Ignore other applications"

(xl2007) Office Button|Excel Options|Advanced|General|Uncheck "Ignore other applications that use DDE"

If that doesn't work, try:

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Office 2010 in Win 7 – Remove Win7 “Compatibility” mode

A solution is:

·        Start

·        all programs

·        Microsoft office (this gives the list of office applications)

·        Right click on excel

·        select 'properties'

·        select the compatibility tab

·        uncheck the ' Run this program in compatibility for:' 'windows XP service pack 3'

My excel files now open fine.

If that doesn't work, try:

Change File Associations in Vista / Win 7

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-which-programs-Windows-uses-by-default

If that doesn't work, try:

Discover hidden features in the Win7 Default Programs tool

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/discover-hidden-features-in-the-windows-7-default-programs-tool/5717

Fix File Association Error When Launching Windows Explorer in Win7

http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/fix-file-association-error-explorer-in-windows-7/

If that doesn't work, try:

Change the program that opens a type of file (Vista)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-the-program-that-opens-a-type-of-file

If that doesn't work, try:

Change File Associations in Win XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307859

If that doesn't work, try:

Document not found

http://www.gmayor.com/Document\_Not\_Found.htm

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Add Programs to OPEN WITH list

http://www.worldstart.com/adding-open-with-to-the-right-click-menu/print/

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How to Set Defaults Successfully

http://www.worldstart.com/how-to-set-defaults-successfully/print/

If that doesn't work, try:

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Win7 Set Default and Use Open With & Always Open With Settings in Pictures-

http://notebooks.com/2011/02/08/how-to-set-default-programs-and-use-open-with-and-always-open-with-settings/

If that doesn't work, try:

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Answer 5

What you should do is confirm that the 2010 trial has be uninstalled. If it hasn't, then do uninstall it. After that, do an Office Repair of your 2013 installation

Repair or Uninstall Office 2010 / 2007

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/repair-or-remove-office-2010-HA010357402.aspx?CTT=1

http://www.online-tech-tips.com/ms-office-tips/fix-microsoft-word-has-stopped-working/comment-page-1/#comment-83759

The factory installed trial is typically called something  like “Microsoft Office 2010 Single Image” because it allows the factory to install all 3 trials (Home and Student, Home and Business, and Pro) at the same time. (For this problem you can ignore Office Starter, and an entry that is just "Microsoft Office 2010")  If you are uninstalling the factory trial to clear up conflicts with another installed copy, you MUST do an Office Repair of that other installed copy, boot the computer and you will probably have to also do an activation of the installed copy.

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