'there was a problem sending the command to the program' error message in windows 7 using word 2007

Anonymous
2009-11-25T05:18:50+00:00

in windows explorer, i double click on a word 2007 doc  and i get an error message 'there was a problem sending the command to the program'. if i click on it a second time - it will open. irritating ..... any suggestions?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-10-12T12:44:59+00:00

    Hi

    for me also same irritating problem

    after i tried the 'regedit' method suggested above by some one. it resolved to 50%, i.e. .docx files are opening with double click on the file names but not .rtffiles.

    Then i tried Uninstall and reinstall MS-Word 2007 (as my system is Office2007) rebooted and not solved. 

    Then came to my mind to do as below and it resolved for me.

    UNINSTALL each and all of MS-Office programs and reboot at each un-installation.

    and then reinstall Word first and then i checked its working fine with .docx and .rtf files as well while double clicking on the files.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-08-21T07:21:44+00:00

    Couldn't agree more. I also think that this version of Microsoft Office is totally a drawback. I like using the previous 2003 version than this one, and the last user friendly is only the 2003 tools and taskbar.

    What might be better in the latest version is only the powerpoint previews. If only Microsoft add more features for ppt in the 2003, I believe this old version is unbeatable.

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  3. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-05-13T03:25:28+00:00

    For the error message "There was a problem sending the command to the program", use Windows Explorer to access the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15 folder and right click on WINWORD.EXE then on Properties, go to the Compatibility tab and uncheck all the boxes. 

    It has also been reported that the problem can be overcome by editing the registry at

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document.12\shell\Open and deleting the ddeexec key.

    The ddeexec can also be deleted from

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.DocumentMacroEnabled.12\shell\Open.

    That fix is described at ...

    http://www.dilloway.co.uk/there-was-a-problem-sending-the-command.html

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