Microsoft KB Archive/942617

= Error message when you try to open a .docx file in Word 2007: &quot;Word experienced an error trying to open the file&quot; =

Article ID: 942617

Article Last Modified on 10/10/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Office Word 2007

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to open a .docx file in Microsoft Office Word 2007, the file does not open. Additionally, you receive the following error message:

Word experienced an error trying to open the file.

Try these suggestions.


 * Check the file permissions for the document or drive.


 * Make sure there is sufficient free memory and disk space.


 * Open the file with the Text Recovery converter.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because a recovery document was saved as an auto save document (*.asd) file that has a .docx extension.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, follow these steps:  Verify the default location of .asd files. To do this, follow these steps:  Start Word 2007. Click the Office Button, and then click Word Options. Click Save, note the default path of .asd files that is mentioned in the AutoRecover file location box, and then click OK.

Notes  In Windows Vista, the default location for .asd files is as follows:



 In Windows XP, the default location for .asd files is as follows:



Note The  placeholder specifies the letter of the drive that contains Windows. By default, this is drive C. The  placeholder specifies the user account name that you used to log on to the computer.</ul> </li> Exit Word 2007.</li></ol> </li> Rename the .docx file that you are trying to open so that the file has the .asd extension. For example, if the name of the file is .docx, rename the file as  .asd.</li> Copy the file that you renamed, and then paste the file to the default location for .asd files. This is the location that you determined in step 1.</li> Start Word 2007.</li> Click the Office Button, and then click Open.</li> In the All Word Documents list, click All Files.</li> Locate and then click the file that you copied in step 3. Then, click Open.</li> Click the Office Button, and then click Save As.</li> Select the location in which you want to save the file, type the file name in the File name box, click Word Document in the Save as type list, and then click Save.</li></ol>

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MORE INFORMATION
If Word cannot save a document during the usual save process, Word will save the document in the .asd file format. The .asd file format is a binary format that resembles the .doc file format. However, the .asd file format is not identical to the .doc file format. Word 2007 cannot open documents that are saved in the .asd file format.

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