Word & Excel Documents Won't Open Unless Opened Through the Application

If you double-click Word documents or Excel spreadsheets, they should automatically open with Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel. If double-clicking the files does not open them in their respective programs, then the file associations have disassociated from the programs. You can change the default programs that open files with the Windows "Default Programs" menu.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Default Programs."

2. Click "Associate a file type or protocol with a specific program" from the list of options.

3. Select ".doc" and click "Change Program." Select "Microsoft Office Word" from the list. Click "OK" to associate the files with Word. Repeat the process with ".docx" as well.

4. Select ".xls" and click "Change Program." Select "Microsoft Office Excel" from the list. Click "OK" to associate the files with Excel. Repeat the process with ".xlsx" as well.

5. Click "Close" to close the window and save changes.

References

• Microsoft Windows: Change Which Programs Windows Uses by Default