When using the Windows Explorer preview pane for a file ending in .docx I am prompted with a dialog box stating 'Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable.'

Hillary Koch 0 Reputation points
2024-04-23T21:22:19.1166667+00:00

When using the Windows Explorer preview pane for a file ending in .docx I am prompted with a dialog box stating 'Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable.' Upon selecting 'OK' anywhere from 1-10ish times, the .docx file does appear in the Windows Explorer preview pane. Other Microsoft files simply will not preview at all including .ppsx, .pptx, .xlsx stating "This file can't be previewed.' I did recently upgrade to Microsoft 365, and today I have checked for malware and corrupt files, compatibility issues, added an environment variable and reinstalled Microsoft365, all to no avail. Any suggestions?

Microsoft 365
Microsoft 365
Formerly Office 365, is a line of subscription services offered by Microsoft which adds to and includes the Microsoft Office product line.
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  1. lunchtiemre 0 Reputation points
    2024-04-23T21:38:20.4133333+00:00

    It sounds like there might be an issue with the temporary environment variable used by Microsoft Office applications. Here are some steps you can try to resolve the problem:

    Check Temporary Environment Variable: Verify that the TEMP and TMP environment variables are correctly set. They should point to valid directories where temporary files can be created. You can check this by going to Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables.

    Clear Temporary Files: Clear the temporary files folder on your system. Sometimes, corrupted temporary files can cause issues. You can do this by using the Disk Cleanup tool or manually deleting files from the temporary folder.

    Repair Office Installation: Try repairing your Microsoft 365 installation. You can do this by going to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, then selecting Microsoft 365 and choosing Repair.

    Check File Associations: Ensure that the file associations for .docx, .pptx, .xlsx, etc., are correctly set to open with the corresponding Microsoft Office applications.

    Update Windows: Make sure your Windows operating system is up to date. Sometimes, Windows updates can resolve compatibility issues with Microsoft Office applications.

    Disable Antivirus: Temporarily disable any antivirus or security software you have installed, as they might be interfering with the preview functionality.

    If the issue persists after trying these steps Read more

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