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Word will not open .doc files downloaded from Dropbox

Hello, I am having an issue when I try to open .doc files. I download a .doc file from Dropbox and save it on my computer. When I try to open it in Microsoft Word, it attempts to "convert" the document, and opens it with symbols instead of the document. I have tried downloading multiple copies and the issue persists. This has also occurred with other files that are not from Dropbox. However, if I get on another Windows computer, download the same file from Dropbox and email it to myself, I can open it without a problem. The exact same .doc file. Other Windows computers can download and open the same Dropbox .doc file without any issue. I have also verified that Microsoft Word and Windows are completely up to date.

Why can't my computer open these files? Why is it trying to convert a .doc file?

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This could be a problem with file assocations. If you download the file from Dropbox and save it to your hard drive, start Word and open the file from within Word, then does it work?
Stefan Blom
Microsoft 365 Word MVP since 2005
Volunteer Moderator (Office)
MS 365, Win 11 Pro
~~~~
Please note that I do not work for Microsoft
MVP program info: https://mvp.microsoft.com/
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Hi Stefan, thanks for your response. I was able to solve my own problem. It turns out Firefox converts the .doc files from Dropbox to PDF files when it downloads them. I downloaded the same file via IE and it worked. The confusion was that, after Firefox downloads and converts to PDF, the file remains the same .doc. There is no PDF extension and the file is still associated with Word. I have not yet figured out how to disable Firefox from converting to PDF, but I know the issue is not Word. Thank you

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How very odd! I have never used Firefox, but this is definitely something you should ask in a Firefox forum (assuming there is one).
Stefan Blom
Microsoft 365 Word MVP since 2005
Volunteer Moderator (Office)
MS 365, Win 11 Pro
~~~~
Please note that I do not work for Microsoft
MVP program info: https://mvp.microsoft.com/
~~~~

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Yep, same thing started happening to me after a recent Firefox update. SO annoying.

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Ask in a Firefox forum.
Stefan Blom
Microsoft 365 Word MVP since 2005
Volunteer Moderator (Office)
MS 365, Win 11 Pro
~~~~
Please note that I do not work for Microsoft
MVP program info: https://mvp.microsoft.com/
~~~~

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I cannot replicate that behaviour with either a .doc or .docx file downloaded from Dropbox using FireFox.
Hope this helps,
Doug Robbins - MVP Office Apps & Services (Word)
dougrobbinsmvp@gmail.com
It's time to replace ‘Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’ with ‘Excellence, Opportunity & Civility’ - V Ramaswamy

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I'm having the exact same problem with Chrome.  It didn't use to happen.  Word will not open any of my docs downloaded from Dropbox, though I created them with my MS Word.

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I'm having the exact same problem with Chrome.  It didn't use to happen.  Word will not open any of my docs downloaded from Dropbox, though I created them with my MS Word.
Same problem for me, too, even with Office 365 for Mac Word 2016 on both Chrome and Safari.  Makes my Mac useless for critical work.

Microsoft: Please solve this asap as otherwise why should I buy Office 365 for Mac? My critical work files are all in Dropbox.  (works fine on PC with W'10, but this is 365 FOR MAC.

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In Word, go to File>Options>Trust Center>Trust Center Settings>Protected View and uncheck the box for "Enable Protected View for files originating from the Internet".
Hope this helps,
Doug Robbins - MVP Office Apps & Services (Word)
dougrobbinsmvp@gmail.com
It's time to replace ‘Diversity, Equity & Inclusion’ with ‘Excellence, Opportunity & Civility’ - V Ramaswamy

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In Word, go to File>Options>Trust Center>Trust Center Settings>Protected View and uncheck the box for "Enable Protected View for files originating from the Internet".

Well, on my Mac Mini in Word 2016 there is no Options under File (Though on my PC there is). I have no problem on my VERY SLOW PC, but I want to work on my much faster Mac Mini.  I think I found the way to download a doc opened in Dropbox, the edit on my desktop and then upload revised version into Dropbox using upper right corner options. Thus, there may not be a problem.So I appreciate your help which happily is no longer needed. Thanks,dan

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Last updated April 24, 2024 Views 10,387 Applies to: