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I can't open any downloaded Word files - please help!

I tried to open an attachment from an email (Outlook) and I have the error message:

'Word experienced an error trying to open this file' and then it goes on to list the possible solutions such as 'Open and Repair' and 'Recover Text converter'. I have tried both these options and the same error message comes up again.

When I tried to open other files that I had not downloaded, they opened fine and I had no issue. Basically, any Word file in my 'Downloads' folder does not open.

Can someone please explain what I can/should do to make this work again?

Thank you!
Can you open a file if you move it from the Downloads folder to a different one?
Microsoft MVP (Word) since 1999
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://ssbarnhill.com
http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com
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Unfortunately, I already tried doing that and it still doesn't work

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If you right click on the file in File Explorer and then select Properties and then click on the Unblock button are you then able to open the file?
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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Thanks.  I followed your instructions and was able to open downloaded Word documents that had the same error "Word experienced an error trying to open this file' and then it goes on to list the possible solutions such as 'Open and Repair' and 'Recover Text converter'".

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Thanks for the fix.  However, how do you resolve the problem entirely?  It is really time consuming to do this each time you download a document. 

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If you are not concerned about the possibility of your computer becoming infected with some form of virus\malware\or worse, click on the File tab and then on Options and then on Trust Center and then on Trust Center settings and then on Protected View and remove the check mark from 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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Last updated June 24, 2024 Views 4,413 Applies to: