Microsoft Word isn't your default program

Question

Hello. I have recently installed Office 365 and when I open Word 2016, I get this message: Microsoft Word isn't your default program for viewing and editing documents. Do you want to select the file types that Word should open?  I have already set the default apps by file type for Word to Word 2016 but keep getting this message. Also, the icons for my Word documents just look like a blank sheet of paper, ie no Word icon.  The other programs ie Excel, Access, Publisher etc, are fine.  It's only Word I have this problem with.  I have repaired online several times, I have uninstalled and installed again and cannot fix this issue.  I have also looked for solutions online but can't find anything that helps me to fix this.  The only other thing I might add is that I recently uninstalled Office Ultimate 2017.  Could this have caused any conflicts? Any recent solutions out there would be much appreciated, thanks.

Answer 1

Was that Office Ultimate 2007 rather than 2017?  I do not believe that there is a Microsoft product with the name of Office Ultimate 2017   There was however an Office Ultimate 2007, and if it is that which you have installed, you will need to repair the installation of Office 2016 to restore the file associations.

See the Knowledge Base article at:

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Repair-an-Office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b?CorrelationId=1b0030f4-8cc5-4485-b495-810e2a7d1284&ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US

or, in the WIndows Type here to search space, type

winword \r

and then click on Run Command.

Answer 2

Sorry Karl, but I still haven't solved the issue.  I've unchecked the box for 'Tell me if Microsoft Word isn't the default program etc' and will just have to live with the missing icon although it's annoying and sad too :( (but life's too short ...)

I hope at some point, that a proper fix will be issued by Microsoft.  I can't believe I'm the only person in the world with this unresolved issue.

Thanks for the link to Windows Registry Editor - beginners guide.

Answer 3

What I'd suggest is repeating the uninstall process again for both '2007 and '2016 but instead of using the "Fixit" tool - follow the instructions for a manual uninstall since obviously something is getting left over. Would do that before messing with the registry.

Were it not for the icon issue - then a simple solution would be launch Word, go to File --> Options --> General --> scroll down to "Start Up Options" and uncheck the box for "Tell me if Microsoft Word isn't the default program for viewing and editing documents"

For future reference should you ever require it

How to use Windows Registry Editor (Beginners Guide)

https://www.contactgenie.info/how-to-use-window...

Answer 4

Hello Karl.

I have now done this but I'm afraid it hasn't made any difference and I still have the issue.  If this is because there are still 'remnants' of previous installs, how would I go about getting rid of those?

Having read about this issue in other threads, some people have mentioned a registry issue. I'm not experienced enough to understand what to do in there without a set of clear instructions.

Thanks for your help and grateful for any further advice and assistance.

Answer 5

Would suggest uninstalling Office using the fixit tool and get rid of all remnants

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Uninst...

Once completed, log into your MS Account and reinstall Office 2016 (Office 365)