Error: Windows Cannot Find Filename When Opening .DOC Files From Windows Explorer

© Ramesh Srinivasan | General | 27th June 2008

When you double-click a .doc file to open it using Word 2003 or Word 2007, the following error may occur and the document does not open:

Windows cannot find ‘filename’. Make sure you type the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search

However, you may be able to open the file using the File/Open… option within Microsoft Word.

The above symptom was observed in my client’s PC. The file association for .DOC appeared correct when inspected using FileExtInfo tool. The error sounds as if DDE is not working correctly or some program is interrupting it. Here is what which worked in my client’s PC running Windows Vista and Word 2003.

Instructions for Windows Vista (also applies to Windows 2000/XP)

1. Click Start, type regedit.exe and press ENTER:

2. Navigate to the following key and backup the key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Word.Document.8 \ shell \ Open \ ddeexec

3. Right-click the ddeexec key and choose Delete. Click Yes to confirm.

4. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Word.Document.8 \ shell \ Open \ command

5. Double-click (default) and set its value data to:

For Word 2003

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\WINWORD.EXE" /n "%1"

For Word 2007

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\WINWORD.EXE" /n "%1"

6. Exit the Registry Editor.

Instructions for Windows XP

In Windows XP, you can use the Folder Options applet to disable DDE for a file type action. Here are the instructions:

1. Open Windows Explorer

2. Click Tools, Folder Options, select the File Types tab.

3. Select .DOC file type from the list

4. Click Advanced

5. Select open and click Edit

6. Uncheck Use DDE checkbox and click OK.

7. Click OK, OK.

If that above does not help, check if one of the Office Add-ins is causing the error.

SEE ALSO

Excel opens without displaying a workbook

You cannot open a Word 2007 document or a Word 2003 document from Windows Explorer

How to troubleshoot problems that occur when you start or use Word

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5 Comments

  1. Andrew
    said this on Wednesday, November 30th 2011 7:09 am

    THANK YOU!!!! THIS HELPED ME!!! I had this problem for like a year now, and I FINALLY found the fix! THANKSSSSSSS!!

  2. Tonje
    said this on Wednesday, October 19th 2011 7:47 pm

    Hi,

    I have Windows 2000, should I still type

    “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\WINWORD.EXE” /n “%1″

    or without the 11 or with 12?

    Thanks

  3. Donovan
    said this on Wednesday, September 28th 2011 12:55 am

    Thanks a lot Lech!!!! I was following the instructions above when suddenly stopped me to a point that i cannot find the ‘default’ on my vista….then when i scroll down and followed too your post >> 3. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft

    4. Right-click and delete the ‘Office’ key

    Then,

    1. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Microsoft

    2. Right-click and delete the ‘Office’ key

    it works!!!!

    Note that i didn’t uninstall office at all….

  4. Kristine
    said this on Friday, September 3rd 2010 5:30 am

    Thanks! I just edited the registry (skipped the delete option) and it totally worked! Thanks!

  5. dixonip
    said this on Wednesday, September 30th 2009 11:13 pm

    I’ve a similar problem with Excel and it’s related to DDE. I went to Excel Option, Advance and clear the “Ignore all other applications that use DDE”. Hope it helps.

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