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Can't Open Downloaded Documents

Running Windows Vista.
When trying to open downloaded Excel or Word documents I get the 'downloading' file window coming up then its says downloading but it will not download anything.
If I send the document to someone else they can open it for me & then copy & paste & send it to me & I can then open it !!!
Why all of a sudden will my computer not open these docs ?????
:confused::confused:

Comments

  • Lil306
    Lil306 Posts: 1,692 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Try opening Office clicking Help > Detect and Repair.

    Does the Office program open whatsoever, it could also be a minimised window
    Owner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them

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  • busenbust
    busenbust Posts: 4,782 Forumite
    Which browser? Have you preset a default 'Download folder'?
    If I send the document to someone else they can open it for me & then copy & paste & send it to me & I can then open it !!!

    :huh:
  • Stubert
    Stubert Posts: 733 Forumite
    Where are you trying to open them from? If you are trying to open them locally from your hard drive, where is this 'downloading' window popping up from?

    It is possible that you've downloaded them in your browser and the files have gone to a temp files which have been cleaned/deleted and therefore are no longer on your computer?
    Have you tried redownloading them?
  • CLAPTON
    CLAPTON Posts: 41,865 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    mervyn11 wrote: »
    Running Windows Vista.
    When trying to open downloaded Excel or Word documents I get the 'downloading' file window coming up then its says downloading but it will not download anything.
    If I send the document to someone else they can open it for me & then copy & paste & send it to me & I can then open it !!!
    Why all of a sudden will my computer not open these docs ?????
    :confused::confused:

    I had this problem when receiving emails with word/excel in hotmail.

    I could find no resolution except to forward the email to my Yahoo email a/c and that would allow the download with no problems.

    after about 3 months the problem resolved itself and hotmail started working OK
  • hairy_g
    hairy_g Posts: 340 Forumite
    mervyn11 wrote: »
    Running Windows Vista.
    When trying to open downloaded Excel or Word documents I get the 'downloading' file window coming up then its says downloading but it will not download anything.
    If I send the document to someone else
    they can open it for me & then copy & paste & send it to me & I can then open it !!!
    Why all of a sudden will my computer not open these docs ?????
    :confused::confused:

    How can you send it to someone else if it does not download?:confused:
  • hairy_g
    hairy_g Posts: 340 Forumite
    Do the files have a .doc or .docx extension?, if it's docx you may need to download an add-on for MS-Office from Microsoft inorder to open them.
  • CLAPTON
    CLAPTON Posts: 41,865 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    hairy_g wrote: »
    How can you send it to someone else if it does not download?:confused:


    you just forward the original email
  • greyteam1959
    greyteam1959 Posts: 4,788 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    CLAPTON wrote: »
    I had this problem when receiving emails with word/excel in hotmail.

    I could find no resolution except to forward the email to my Yahoo email a/c and that would allow the download with no problems.

    after about 3 months the problem resolved itself and hotmail started working OK

    Mmmm this is my situation as well.
    Hotmail account also.
    Thats my solution as well forward the email and then open it.
    Will have to see if it resolves itself.
    Thanks for you post
  • busenbust
    busenbust Posts: 4,782 Forumite
    ..and thanks for the Thanks ;)
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