'File Not Found' Error when opening files in Word 2007

[Luke Buttigieg]

Hi,

Word 2007 used to work perfectly on my computer up to some time ago. Now,
whenever I double click a word document in Windows explorer to open it, I get
a 'File Not Found' Error, telling me to make sure that the supplied name and
directory is correct. Once Word 2007 is open however, all documents open
fine, even if they are double clicked in windows explorer. Apart from that,
preview pane in Windows Explorer does not work with word document files,
however work fine with all other formats.

I'm running Windows Vista Ultimate and Office 2007 with ALL available
updates installed.

Anyone knows what's going on?

Thanks

 

[TracynRachel]

Has anyone found a fix for this error? I am experiencing the same thing and
recently it has done the same thing on my excel and PowerPoint files, only
difference is with excel files even when the application is open you can’t
double click a file you have to open it from within excel.
I have gone back and insured that the file extensions are associated the
correct programs and I ran the Office Diagnostic program and it was unable to
find any issues.

 

[Luke Buttigieg]

I have still not solved this problem no one seems to know why this is
happening, or else it's affecting a small number of users.

 

[Terry Farrell]

If running Office Diagnostics has not fixed this problem, try running
Regedit and deleting the Word DataKey.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\version number\Word\Data

If that fails, then you need to look for some third party app or add-in that
is interfering with the way Office runs in Windows. Are you running any
Office Add-ins?

 

[Luke Buttigieg]

Thanks for the reply. I opened regedit and went to Data but there are four
entries, which should I modify?

I don't have any add-ons except the one with Microsoft Student '08.

Thanks.

 

[Terry Farrell]

Delete the WHOLE word DataKey and test again. The DataKey is regenerated
when you reopen Word.

Terry

 

[TracynRachel]

Worked for word, any idea for excel?

Delete the WHOLE word DataKey and test again. The DataKey is regenerated
when you reopen Word.

Terry

 

[Terry Farrell]

I'm not an Excel expert, but I would guess there is a similar DataKey for
Excel too. But please ask in the Excel newsgroup prior to deleting it
because I don't know that after-effects of deleting the Excel key.

Terry

 

[USAOz]

Does ANYONE REALLY know what's happening with this issue? It seems MVP
simply is NOT reading users concerns with care and either cares not to
resolve the issue affecting Word and Excel in Office 2007 (Enterprise
version).

The only two suggested 'fixes' in this thread either do not apply to Office
2007 (see the fix posted by (e-mail address removed)) or are simply incorrect
or misleading (see the fix posted by MVP Terry Farrell - sorry Terry but this
keyword DataKey does NOT exist in Office 12 and if I follow the path yoiu
supplied, it gives three files - none of which have that keyword so I am
reluctant to alter anything in the registry based on that fact).

So, how does a user get this VERY FRUSTRATING issued PERMANENTLY resolved?

D. Bruce
USAOz Services

 

[Terry Farrell]

The Word Data Key DOES EXIST in Word 2007 (i.e. Word 12.0). The Key is
called DATA and is exactly where I said it is. Run Regedit, navigate to the
DATA key and whilst DATA is select, press DELETE. Word will create a new key
when you restart it.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data

Terry

 

[USAOz]

OK - firstly - thank you for the speedy response!

Secondly, if I navigate the path you have given, I arrive at a location that
has FOUR files in \Data. Do you mean I should delete that \Data folder (with
the four files) or is there supposed to be a file named Data within that
folder?

If the latter, then I have some problem because NO SUCH file exists!
Seriously!!!

I am navigating the path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data and when I get
THERE the four files present are -

(after Default (value not set)

1) Settings
2) Settings WordMail
3) Toolbars
4) Toolbars Wordmail

So, where to NOW?

Thanks again for your assistance

D. Bruce
USAOz Services

 

[Terry Farrell]

Yes, delete the complete set of hives under DATA by selecting DATA and
pressing delete. I cannot explain it any simpler than that.

Terry

 

[Terry Farrell]

That's a symptom of a Word Data Key corruption - usually because Word has
been running when updates are installed.

Run Regedit and expand by double-clicking to the key below. With DATA
selected, press DELETE. Word will automatically recreate a new key when it
is restarted.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data

Symptoms of Data Key corruption include:

• The mouse does not work when you use Word.
• You cannot open a Word document from the Search window in Windows
Vista.
• You cannot open a Word document from Windows Desktop Search.
• Word crashes when you try to start or exit Word.
• Word crashes when you open the Open dialog box.
• Word crashes when you save a document.
• Word crashes when you close a document.

If you feel uncomfortable editing the registry yourself, Microsoft have a
download that will do this for you. See MSKB 940791
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940791