"error in the Microsoft Word previewer"

Anonymous
2010-08-06T03:09:22+00:00

Is there a fix for this problem?

I have Office 2010 operating on Windows 7 64 bit

When I select File >> Open and click on a Word file (new format or 2003 format) the preview pane has a message as follows

"This file can't be previewed because of an error in the Microsoft Word previewer"

Even if I create a new document and save it, trying to see it in the File Open dialog box gives the same message

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2011-01-20T22:10:35+00:00

Take a look at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/983097 for workarounds.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-04-01T05:34:07+00:00

    I have my college project work.. for which i am totally dependent on my Word 2010... but this **** previewer doesn't permanently work all of a sudden..!! :-((

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-04-01T05:35:51+00:00

    I am having my college project work... for which i'm entirely dependent on my Word 2010.. but this **** previewer doesn't work permanently.. all of a sudden.! :-(((

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-12-05T18:22:11+00:00

    This isn't a fix nor a work around.  It's a common problem and frankly it appears no one has been able to get MS to provide anything but lip service.  There is a temporary repair, however, by appending Space/a after the final " in the winword.exe" call.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-12-31T14:08:09+00:00

    Yes, the "/a" switch works but I've wasted ages looking at Article 921541 and trying out every possible registry change to find a better solution. Oddly, when I used my "/a" version of Word (which DOES preview documents), then immediately switch to my ordinary non-switch version of Word, it will work ok too ... that is, until I close it down and re-launch when I get back to the same old error report about the previewer. I find it puzzling / shameful that MS have a clear problem but seem stumped. Or are they too busy faffing around with Windows 8 and hoping that will grab everyone's attention?

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