my word documents have a grey x and cannot open

Question

I have some documents with a grey x, when i click them they don't open, theres no response when i tried to open them. I found some methods to open them in microsoft forum and some external pages but that methods are not working for me.

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Answer 1

Try opening Word, then choosing File>Open. Navigate to the file, select it and click on the Open button. Any luck?

Please note, some older versions of files may be blocked by default in Office because the old formats are potential security risks. To change this, choose File>Options>Trust Center and click on the Trust Center Settings button. Choose File Block Settings and uncheck all formats that you need to open. OK out and try those files again.

Still not working? You can also try an Office repair. Assuming Windows 10:

1. Click on the Start button, then on Settings.
2. Choose Apps, then click on Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office (whichever you have).
3. Click on the Modify button.
4. Choose Online Repair, then click on the Repair button.
5. Allow the process to complete, restart your computer, then see if double-clicking on your files opens them in Office.

Answer 2

Hi @Gerencia Somllar ,
What version of Windows did you use?
Did this problem only appear in Office files?
Where did you save the file? Try to move them to desktop or a new folder/drive and test if this problem still existed.
I suggest you refer to this article about this problem:
https://appuals.com/gray-xs-on-desktop-icons-in-windows-10/
Note: Microsoft is providing this information as a convenience to you. The sites are not controlled by Microsoft. Microsoft cannot make any representations regarding the quality, safety, or suitability of any software or information found there. Please make sure that you completely understand the risk before retrieving any suggestions from the above link.

Just checking in to see if the information was helpful. Please let us know if you would like further assistance.

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