Error: The last time you opened BasicSimple.dotx, it caused a serious error

Question

When I am typing in Word, I will hover the mouse over the toolbar and spin the wheel and as it goes back to the right toolbar (Home for example from view) I get this error: Error: "The last time you opened BasicSimple.dotx, it caused a serious error. Do you still want to open it?"

I do not understand why it keep popping up only when i spin the scroll wheel when i am trying to switch between toolbar menus. Any advice?

Moderator's note: BasicSimple.dotx is a built-in [Quick] Style Set.

[Quick] Style Sets and Word Themes in Microsoft Word

[Quick] Style Sets

Answer 1

Can you please give me a step by step description of what you did. I am the one who created this thread and so far nothing I have tried or seen here has worked. I still get the same error.

Hi sidscrat,

Your Normal.dotm file should be at this locaition: C:\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates.

Rename Normal.dotm to Normal.dotm_old or something similar. After that, restart the computer.

That process seemed to fix the issue for some of us.

James

Answer 2

Dear respected sidscrat,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

As your description, this problem occurs when the file appears on the list of disabled files for the Microsoft Office program. The program adds a file to this list if the file causes a serious error, such as causing the program to quit unexpectedly. This message allows you to avoid potential problems that may occur if you open the file.

Try to click on File>Options>Add-Ins>under Manage Com Add-ins select Disabled Items in the Manage list then click Go. To re-enable one of the listed items, click the item, and then click Enable.

Also, try to disable add-ins by this way: Open Word>add-ins>Disable add-ins (Clear the check box of the add-ins in the list of COM Add-Ins > click OK and restart application. For reference: disable application add-ins and COM add-ins

If still can’t work, please try torepair an Office application to fix the problem.

Meanwhile, may I know, is that a Word template that you created? also could you please confirm does this error message occur to specific Word file?

Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad

Answer 3

Thanks for your advice but the problem persists. I did the disable process you suggested and the template was in there. After hitting okay I closed Word and restarted it. I am able to duplicate that same error by holding the cursor over the toolbar area and as I rotate the wheel it moves from one toolbar to the next. If I rotate the wheel fast the error appears. I tried repair but it had no effect.

In answer to your questions, I did not create that template to my knowledge and i always use the same one. Also it happens on any word document including right after I open a new one. We use MS Office 365. My wife just told me she is having the exact same issue as I am. It probably started after an Office update.

Any other suggestions?

Answer 4

Thanks.. Will give it a try. For me this problem started happening right out of the blue with a document that I've used for several years. Seems to only happen in that document but maybe that is a coincidence.

Answer 5

Is BasicSimple a template that you are using intentionally? For example, maybe you have created a document based on the template. Word will load the template into memory when you are using the document. The crashing may indicate that the template is damaged somehow.

If you are not using BasicSimple intentionally, it could be loaded into memory as an add-in, and you can choose to remove it from Word's Startup folder. Hold the Windows logo key as you press R; in the Run dialog box, type %appdata%\Microsoft\Word\Startup and press Enter. Delete the *.dotx, if you see it in the folder.