Windows Explorer "Not Responding" after Opening Word 2007 Document

shawnkey · 11 Oct 2020

I'm using Windows 10 Pro, version 2004, Build 19041.508.

A few weeks ago and out of the blue, Windows Explorer began "not responding" when I attempted to open a Word 2007 .docx file. When I click on the .docx file and then immediately attempt to switch to Explorer, I experience a five second delay before the Explorer window reopens and another four second delay (with the spinning blue circle) before I can access another file. To be clear, this issue exists only with Word and NOT with any other Microsoft product. For example, if I select a .pdf and then attempt to immediately switch back to Explorer, Explorer does not stall.

When this issue arose, I tried to recall whether I had made any changes to my system. Other than Windows updates, I had made no changes. Since then, I have attempted a myriad of solutions. One of my efforts included downloading an Explorer substitute. Even when using the substituted program, the problem continued. I attempted repairs of both Windows and Microsoft Office, yet nothing changed. Ultimately, I reset Windows 10 and reinstalled the Microsoft Office suite. Unfortunately, the issue survived the reset.

Subsequent to the reset, the only significant change I've made is to updated all my drivers. All Windows updates are installed through 10/09/20.

This issue is both annoying and time consuming. If you can offer any suggestions, please do!

Try3 · 11 Oct 2020

Shawn,

1 What is in the Word document other than text?
- Any copied-in active components such as you might have in web emails or webpages?
- What happens if you open a blank Word document?
- What happens if you double-click on another Word template, a different one to the one you normally use? [find out where they are in Word, Options, Advanced, File locations]
- Are there any other Word files that do not have this symptom?
- Is Word also stalled whilst File explorer is stalled?

2 You don't mention which version of Office you are using to open the file [that you made in Word 2007].
- You might still be using Word 2007. It's just that you don't say.
- I still use Word 2007 and have not seen any problems.

3 You don't mention how you are opening the Word file -
- Doube-clicking on it in File explorer?
- Using Word's File open dialog?
Perhaps it will yield additional info if you try it both ways of openeing it?

Denis

dalchina · 11 Oct 2020

Is there a difference between the case where Word must launch for the first time and Word being open or minimised when you attempt to open the file?

A few weeks ago and out of the blue, Windows Explorer began "not responding" when I attempted to open a Word 2007 .docx file. When I click on the .docx file and then immediately attempt to switch to Explorer,

Once Word displays the file, does file explorer behave normally?

If you look at your Update History 'A few weeks ago' is there anything that correlates with this starting?

Is anything shown in your Reliability History corresponding to when this happens?

shawnkey · 11 Oct 2020

dalchina and Denis,

To answer your questions:

Q: Once Word displays the file, does file explorer behave normally?
A: After the eight-second delay, I am able to access Explorer. It behaves normally *as to any file type other than .docx.* If I double-click a .docx file, the "not responding" cycle repeats.

Q: If you look at your Update History 'A few weeks ago' is there anything that correlates with this starting?
A: I reset Windows on 10/03/20. I cannot view the update history before then.

Q: Is anything shown in your Reliability History corresponding to when this happens?
A: Unfortunately, I do not have the Update History from the initial timeframe when the issue started. When I reset Windows, the Update History reset, too. The recent history shows nothing.

Q: What is in the Word document other than text?
A: Nothing. The document is text only.

Q: Any copied-in active components such as you might have in web emails or webpages?
A: No.

Q: What happens if you open a blank Word document?
A: Nothing. If I opened Word and then generate a new document, Word operates normally. I can use Explorer to open any other non-Word file without issue. However, if I click on a Word doc, the error cycles.

Q: What happens if you double-click on another Word template, a different one to the one you normally use? [find out where they are in Word, Options, Advanced, File locations]
A: I generally do not use templates, so I have none saved. I'm not sure that I've ever used a pre-made Word template. Through Word, I looked for the stored location of templates. When I go to that folder, I do not find any templates.

Q: Are there any other Word files that do not have this symptom?
A: No. However, I do not use any other Word document types.

Q: Is Word also stalled whilst File explorer is stalled?
A: No. I can click back to the Word doc and continue working.

Q: You don't mention which version of Office you are using to open the file [that you made in Word 2007].
A: I'm still using Word 2007.

Q: You don't mention how you are opening the Word file.
A: Double-clicking on it in File explorer.

Q: Using Word's File open dialog?
A: If I open the file using Word's file-open dialogue, I can then switch to Explorer without any issue. However, that's cumbersome to try to locate the file through Word.

dalchina · 11 Oct 2020

Thanks

Q: Is anything shown in your Reliability History corresponding to when this happens?
A: Unfortunately, I do not have the Update History from the initial timeframe when the issue started. When I reset Windows, the Update History reset, too. The recent history shows nothing.

Reliability History not Update History.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...4-54f7d7275705

Office 2007 (Version 12) is no longer part of mainstream support and hasn't been tested on Windows 10. However, Office 2007 will install and run on Windows 10.

i.e. no guarantees...

What happens with doc and rtf if these are associated with Word? Do you see the same thing?

A random guess might suggest a dmp file is being created.

Watch your task manager during the delay and see if you see anything related to WER, for example.

Try3 · 11 Oct 2020

Shawn,

I don't think I have anything useful to contribute then.

Just a thought - have you installed all the Office 2007 updates [starting with SP3]?
- My fully-updated Office 2007 gives me no problems.

- Word button, Word options, Resources, About

Windows Explorer "Not Responding" after Opening Word 2007 Document-about-ms-word-version-number.png

my list of installed Office 2007 updates - TenForums
Office 2007 updates - MSUpdateCatalog

Best of luck,
Denis

shawnkey · 11 Oct 2020

Denis,

When I click Word Options then go to Resources, I find "about Microsoft Office Word 2007." Then I click "about" to show the following: Microsoft Office Word 2007 (12.0.6787.5000) SP3 MSO (12.0.6785.5000) Part of Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007.

I presume that the "SP3" indicate that Service Pack 3 is installed.

Thank you for your input.

Try3 · 11 Oct 2020

Mine is

Windows Explorer "Not Responding" after Opening Word 2007 Document-about-ms-word-version-number-v2.png

Whilst I don't know about Enterprise editions, I don't see any link between this difference and your problem symptoms.

Yes, the SP3 entry means SP3 has been installed.

I imagine that the fact that our version numbers match means that you have also installed the huge pile of updates since SP3. You could check using
Windows Update MiniTool - MajorGeeks
or
WUMgr / Windows Update Manager.

Denis

Berton · 11 Oct 2020

The Enterprise editions have more features useful in businesses.

https://microsoft-office-enterprise-2007.apponic.com
Building on the strengths of Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, Office Enterprise 2007 provides teams and organizations with the most comprehensive set of tools to collect and consolidate any type of information, find what they are looking for quickly, and easily share critical information with others across geographic or organizational boundaries, whether working online or offline.

Try3 · 11 Oct 2020

Thanks for that, Berton.

Another user told me a little while ago that their Office 2007 Enterprise did not allow for the choices I could make during installation and that theirs installed every component.

So, for example, all components of Sharepoint were installed and had to be removed using Programs & features.

Whereas I just didn't install them in the first place.
Sharepoint is tucked away in the Tools section of the installation selections you'll see if you use

Programs & features,
Microsoft Office 2007,
Change,
Add or remove features.

It would certainly not do any harm for you to remove any components, such as Sharepoint, that you don't use. But I don't see anything there as a potential cause of your symptoms.

Denis