The following error may occur while trying to open Word (attachments) in Outlook 2016, 2013 or 2010: "Word experienced an error trying to open the file. Try these suggestions. Check the file permissions for the document or drive. Make sure there is sufficient memory and disk space. Open the file with the Text Recovery converter". The same error happens if the user tries to open the attachment file, after saving it to the disk.
In this tutorial you will find detailed instructions to resolve the following problems in Office 2010, 2013 or 2016:
If you face the "Word Experienced" problem on a file that came from an external source (email, download, USB, Network) first unblock the security on the file. To do that:
1. Right click on the file and select Properties.
2. At General tab, click the Unblock button and click OK.
3. Try to open the file. If the problem persists, then continue to the methods below.
The "Word encountered an error while trying to open the file" problem, is usually displayed when Windows Firewall has been disabled. To enable Windows Firewall:
1. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys to open run command box.
2. In run command box, type: services.msc and press Enter.
3. Right click on Windows Firewall service and select Properties.
4. Set the Startup type to Automatic and click OK.
5. Restart your computer.
6. After the restart, open Outlook and try to open the Word attachment.
1. Open Word application. *
* Note: If you face a similar problem when you open Excel attachments then perform the steps below in Excel.
2. From File menu select Options.
3. Select Trust Center on the left pane and then click Trust Center Settings on the right side.
4. Click Protected view on the left pane.
5. Uncheck all protected view options * on the right pane.
* 1. Enable Protected View for Files originating from the Internet
2. Enable Protected View for Files located in potentially unsafe locations
3. Enable Protected View for Outlook attachments
6. Click OK twice to apply changes and exit Word.
7. Open the attachment in Outlook.
1. Download and save the Office Configuration Analyzer Tool on your disk. *
* Select the OffCAT.msi and click Next.
2. When the download is completed, run the OffCAT.msi file and click Next.
3. Accept the License Agreement and click Next on the next screens.
4. When the installation s completed run the Office Analyzer tool.
5. Select "I've read this notification" and click Continue.
6. Select to scan all Office programs and then press "Click to scan"
7. When the scanning is completed review the results for Outlook and Word and apply the suggested fixes or see the possible solutions online.
That's it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).
Latest posts by Konstantinos Tsoukalas (see all)Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).
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On one computer, Protected View don't work at all. No matter you open file from Outlook or downloaded document on desktop. Problem was video driver issue, also error say that word/excel don't have permissions to open file in protected view. Here is log of problem: Faulting application name: WINWORD.EXE, version: 16.0.10401.20025, time stamp: 0x64c878e7
Faulting module name: igd10um64xe.DLL, version: 31.0.101.4672, time stamp: 0x64f42737
Exception code: 0xc0000005
Fault offset: 0x00000000001e7960
Faulting process id: 0x0x3168
Faulting application start time: 0x0x1D9DF38E514C000
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Root\Office16\WINWORD.EXE
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\iigd_dch.inf_amd64_db9a04a5a0077430\igd10um64xe.DLL
Report Id: 383da0e8-ee1f-451a-8738-2d36ee10f706
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID: Install older driver version fix issue.
Had trouble with a client getting these errors when opening a file from outlook. A repair install of office fixed the issue
Thanks a lot it worked .God bless you Method 3 is working for me.Top tips. Method 3 worked for me. Not sure why this issue has suddenly occurred though. Not had a problem in the past opening Outlook attachments – always got a warning and asked it you wanted to open them. Suddenly, that stopped at the files just wont open.
