Shortcut problem

I have a PC (XP) that every so often decides not to open documents (word Excel) unless you are in the application and go to open and browse for the file.

If you browse to the file through IE and click on the link then it wont open.

we use office 2003 service pack 3........anyone else encountered this problem before I have even re-installed office but it still does it?

your problem lies in your computer registry.
when a PC that every so often decides not to open some documents/files, that mean the registered class for the file extension is missing in the registry. You can either recreate it, or reinstall your microsoft office.

This could be caused by Virus Attack, deleted accidentally, or modified incorrectly.
You can change it from regedit, or folder option (XP)

Well if you are an Computer Advanced User and KNOW what you are doing, you can choose to change from regedit (NOTE : the risk is high of course, so I would recommend not to change from regedit if you don't know anything about it)

The safe way is to change from folder option (XP).
Open Control Panel, Folder Options.
Click File Types tab, find the file/document extension that can't opened by default (in this case .doc and .xls)
IF you cannot find the extension there, you need to add it.
if you found, skip to step 2.

Add new :
1. Click NEW, type the file extension (doc)
2. then click Change, Select the program from a list. then Choose Microsoft Office Word. OK

Repeat the step to apply for (xls)

To be on safe side..... Before you try to edit registry,,,,
If you say it happens randomly, it is more than likely you did not close excel properly on a previous attempt at closing. Use control alt delete to open the task manager. hit processes tab. Press the image name column header. If Excel is not closed, closed, it. Make sure there are no other Excel programs running. If so shut them down individualy untilt they are all gone.
Scan your computer for spyware and virus after that is done. You may also try defraging disk.

Let me know if this doesn't work.

Also do not use regedit to modify how you open files....!!!

Use Windows explorer..
Tools > Folder options > File types tab.
Go down to XLS and XLSX and see what program is running these file extensions. If it says Excel you are most assuradly didn't close Excel properly (no fault of your own).


If there is another program loading XLS remove it from your computer.