Word and Excel crash when I try to open a folder to get to a file

[DGD41]

Both Word and Excel crash when I try to open a file from within the program.
As soon as I click on a folder, the programs hang. I remember setting a
condition for "hiding" my files when I created two additional user accounts.
I have been unable to find that option to turn it off (assuming it has
something to do with the problem). I reinstalled Office XP, but the problem
persists. I have no trouble opening a file if I go to the file first and
open it by double clicking it. Nor do I have any trouble opening a file in
the list of recent files. The only change in configuration that I can recall
is the aforementioned hidden files setting.
Intel Pentium 3.4, ASUS P5GD2-X, 2GB Mem, Windows XP Pro, Office Pro

 

[Neto]

DG - I have the same problem and started only today, which incidently is your
post day. I keep sending the error messg to Microsoft but there is no
feedback. I hope someone can helps us.

 

[Neto]

Check the following, from a different FAQ. It solves the problem.

Thank you very much. I've actually contacted Microsoft and finally resolved
the problem. The whole problem started with Windows Update. We tried
several things but it actually was quite simple. I only need to change a
file extension from "exe" to "old" and the file name was "verclsid".

Thanks again,

 

[RxP]

I was also having the exact same problem--for all the Office products (Word,
Excel, PowerPoint, and Access). My search for the verclsid file listed
many--from previous auto-updates I suppose. Rename all or just one in
particular?

 

[RxP]

Uninstalled KB908531 and everything is working properly.

 

[DGD41]

Same here, and the same result. The virus I feared turned out to be an
"enhancement." Thanks for the help.

 

[jeff.toole]

Please take a look at this post:

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...&q=verclsid+hui&rnum=5&hl=en#a9fb82836c014916

 

[BAS]

I renamed the verclsid files to solve the problem. Two key things - if you do
a search on "verclsid", you will find several .exe files, and a "pre-fetch"
file. Do not rename the pre-fetch file. You can rename all of the other .exe
files to .old.