Office 2007 – Word could not create work file

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I’m getting the msg: “Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environmental variable.” when I try to open either an existing document of mine, or when I start winword.exe

I’ve uninstalled Office 2007 (using Revo Uninstaller); and reinstalled the package from scratch. No joy.

Can anyone help me resove this issue?

Thanks,
Dick

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As the error message indicates, word needs to use a folder to hold temporary files. It uses the one pointed to by the “temp” environment variable.

To see what, or if, this is set to:
– open a command window (dos prompt)
– type in “echo %temp%” (without the quotes) and hit enter.
The system should respond with a full path to your temp folder, the location of which depends on which version of Windows you are running.

If it gives back nothing, then the temp environment variable is undefined. Post back if you need instructions.
If it gives a path, check that folder really does exist, and try to copy/paste any file in there to make sure you are able to create files there.
If the folder doesn’t exist, create it.

When/if you post back, pls specify which version of Windows.

Jock

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Jock:
Thank you for your reply. I have Windows 7 Home Premium installed.
I did the echo; verified the path; checked that the temp file was where it was supposed to be; and created a test.txt file that I was able to copy into that Temp file.

In addition to the referenced msg about Word not being able to create the work file, I also get this msg when opening an existing .docx file:
“There was a problem sending the command to the program.”

Dick

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It looks like a key in my registry has been mucked up. Since I’m relatively new here, and dont think I can attach a copy of that exported key, would some kind soul do me a favor?
What is the registry value you have in:

rootword.document.12shellopencommand

Thank you,
Dick

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What is the registry value you have in:

rootword.document.12shellopencommand

In Windows XP, Office 2007, the (Default Value) is:

Code:

"C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice12WINWORD.EXE" /n /dde

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Thank you, jsher200, for your help. I’m all set now.

Dick

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Please help! I cannot get rid of the error “Word could not create work file” when opening a Word doc. I updated Word from 2007, to 2010 and created a temp file per microsoft.support’s instructions through Internet Explorer. However, when going to run and doing an “echo %temp% – nothing comes back.

Please help me connect the dots.

Thanks,

Amandaj

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Per Jock above, “If it gives back nothing, then the temp environment variable is undefined. Post back if you need instructions.” Please send me the instructions. Thanks, Amandaj

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To set the temp environment variable:

Right-click on Computer, and choose Properties.
On the left side of the window, click Advanced system settings.
Click the Advanced tab at the top of the window.
Click the Environment Variables button.
In the top window, you will see the “user” variables that are set. Make sure there is a variable named TEMP. Wouldn’t hurt to also make sure there is one named TMP.
Both of these will be set to the same thing: %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalTemp
If either one of these isn’t in the list, click New, and then add them. Click OK to close the window, and close all of the other windows you have opened.

Now double click on Computer, to open up a window. Open up C:, then Users, then your profile. Now, in the address window at the top, complete the path by adding the following after your username: AppDataLocal then hit Enter. (It will be hidden, that’s why you have to manually type it in.)

Make sure there is a folder named TEMP. If there isn’t, create it.

You’re done.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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