Opening Excel files from Windows Explorer locks navigation in 2007 & 2010

Here's a challenge!

I use Windows explorer to find my excel spreadsheets, double clicking to open both Excel and the file. The first time I do this for any given file, the navigation ribbons become inactive. I can't save, insert, print etc. I have to close down the Excel and re-open it. This time the file has full functionality.

Variations on this: If I minimise, maximise or restore the window, then full functionality returns. If I open Excel and THEN a file, no problems. It is just when I use Windows explorer to speed-open a file that the problem arises.

This first happened with a new PC and Excel 2007. No amount of updating solved the issue. I then upgraded to Excel 2010 and the problem disappeared. Since recent updates, and I do not know which ones, the problem is back again. I have tried clearing trust centre settings, no change; repairing Office; uninstalled Office 2010 completely and re-installing, still no resolution. Following the re-installation, all office programs showed as new programs except excel? Wierd!

It also appears that uninstalling office does NOT completely un-install the program. I wish it would!

Does anyone have a remedy for this?

Hi, Nic
Probably you have some problems on your PC that not related to MS Office or Excel. I am not sure my suggestion will solve that. You Can try to use SendTo method to open excel spreadsheets, instead of double clicking to open both Excel and the file. You can read my post on this forum about it. Let me know if this will help. There is the link:
http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...t=#post2799312

Thanks for the reply. Yes it probably is something in the system. The installation of Office 2010 cured this issue with 2007, but has since returned. Unfortunately, using the send-to is not an option as opening Excel and "File", "open" works. Because I store files in many folders, I really need to be able to open worksheets directly and quickly from the icons.