As of a few days ago, I cannot open or edit a file-why?

[Phyllis at Croton]

this started with Word files saved on my desktop; now when I double click a
file, I get a grayed word application, then must hit open and then recent
files. What is going to happen when the file I need is not a recent file?
All other Office software is ok.

 

[Beth Melton]

Are you saying you encounter the difficulty when you double-click files on
your Desktop (outside the Open dialog box) or are you saying you encounter
errors on files stored on your Desktop when double-clicking them in the Open
dialog box?

Also, what version of Word are you using?

~Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP