Word 2016 cannot open documents with doc extensions

Start Word, File>Open......browse to the doc, does it then open OK? If not what is the exact error msg?

These docs are located on the local drive?

It is probably a "security" feature.  2013 did something similar with older file formats. You have to decide what restrictions you want put on the file formats.

I don't have 2016, but in 2013 the path is :

1. File menu
2. Options command
3. Trust Center option
4. Trust Center Settings button
5. File Block Settings option
6. Decide what options you want to set on 2003 and 2000 Bindary (DOC) format files.
7. OK to save changes

Rohn has answered your question, I believe (with some excellent use of screenshots).

I am responding to the question you did not ask. I suspect you are using .doc files instead of templates. It is a mistake to routinely use existing documents, changing them, and using Save As to save under a new name. You should be saving these documents, if that is how you are using them, as templates. That way you do not risk losing your originals. I apologize for the unsolicited advice.

Templates in Microsoft Word

File>Open......browse to the doc, does it then open OK? If not what is the exact error msg?

NEZI111> Not OK, file cannot be opened. please error message: 

File is located of local HD but the entire OS is running under OS X with Parallel 

Did not solved the problem. 

marked all options, 

in file explorer the file type info is word 97-2003 document. 

Even if you are correct, and the history of the files is as you explained, (might)

I'm still expecting the application to open the files.

Anyhow, i don't understand how this answer moving forward with opening and working with 10K doc files in random directories that i can't open. 

As I said, I believe Rohn answered your question. Follow the steps he gave, in numerical order, and you will be able to open the files. Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, decided that such files are problems. (I think they just want everything in the newer .docx format to make their job of providing support easier. -- as if they provide much support to the general user.)

You need to uncheck the options, not check them!

If you have a document category checked and also have the radio button filled in to allow opening in protected view, you'll get it to open in protected view (not what you want, I suspect.)

My reply was unsolicited advice on a problem I saw you having from your question, a problem you may not even notice, but which makes working with Word a lot harder than it need be. That is the use of document files for what should be templates.

If you see this on your local PC, then have a look at the File Block Settings that Rohn007 has mentioned.

On the other hand, if you are saving to OneDrive, you may be forced to convert your files to the most recent file format. 

If you have the error when opening an Outlookattachment in Word you have to uncheck the protected view of Outlookattachments as shown in the figure above (it is in Dutch). This worked for me.

Hi,

Fresh install of Microsoft 2016 with windows 10.

What i'm facing is that all docx files can be open without problems.

Doc files with simple text in it as well can be open without problems.

But, when trying to open any doc file with some more objects other than text word is failing to open this file.

Tried by double click  the file outside the application and from File menu -> open.  both ways failed. 

YES, there is something wrong with the default set-up.   It doesn't know what to trust.   I needed to grade papers from an online learning management system, and even when the files were in the download folder they wouldn't open.

So, I added the download folder to be  trusted by WORD 2016, and now it will work.  Maybe you have a folder that you need to add to trusted.

I made this video tonight to show you how to do it, as well as to help all my fellow faculty.

Adding a trusted folder to Word 2016

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D1EC3FDAF8263BB9!83495&authkey=!ADPbqsHmoqxezoA&ithint=video%2cmp4