Error: Windows Cannot Find Filename When Opening .DOC Files From Windows Explorer

When you double-click a .doc file to open it using Word 2003 or Word 2007, the following error may occur and the document does not open:

Windows cannot find ‘filename’. Make sure you type the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search

However, you may be able to open the file using the File/Open… option within Microsoft Word.

The above symptom was observed in my client’s PC. The file association for .DOC appeared correct when inspected using FileExtInfo tool. The error sounds as if DDE is not working correctly or some program is interrupting it. Here is what which worked in my client’s PC running Windows Vista and Word 2003.

Instructions for Windows Vista (also applies to Windows 2000/XP)

1. Click Start, type regedit.exe and press ENTER:

2. Navigate to the following key and backup the key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Word.Document.8 \ shell \ Open \ ddeexec

3. Right-click the ddeexec key and choose Delete. Click Yes to confirm.

4. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Word.Document.8 \ shell \ Open \ command

5. Double-click (default) and set its value data to:

For Word 2003

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\WINWORD.EXE" /n "%1"

For Word 2007

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\WINWORD.EXE" /n "%1"

6. Exit the Registry Editor.

Instructions for Windows XP

In Windows XP, you can use the Folder Options applet to disable DDE for a file type action. Here are the instructions:

1. Open Windows Explorer

2. Click Tools, Folder Options, select the File Types tab.

3. Select .DOC file type from the list

4. Click Advanced

5. Select open and click Edit

6. Uncheck Use DDE checkbox and click OK.

7. Click OK, OK.

If that above does not help, check if one of the Office Add-ins is causing the error.