Cannot open files from Windows Explorer

I have the same problem.  When I reinstall Office 2013 it works correctly again.  I believe the problem is reappearing when an automatic update occurs.  I get repeated error messages that the file converter failed to save the file.  File association is not the problem, although it worked once, then the problem started right back.  Can't open recent Office files from the Start menu list and can't open files by double clicking them in Explorer.  This is a real pain and apparently unique to Office 2013.

This problem continues to occur 8 months later. Resolution remains the same: reinstall Office. It would have been good practice of Microsoft to implement a permanent fix by now. I agree with some of the previous comments: Office 2013 is not ready for prime time. Sadly 2013 reminds me of Vista. If you have not yet jumped on the bandwagon, stick with 2010; it works.

I had the same problem and here's how I fixed it:

Make sure you have a Shortcut ON THE DESKTOP for Excel.  That's what fixed it for me.  Really stupid but it works.

Cheers.

Looks like an upgrade issue.  I had 2010 pro installed when i installed 2013 pro.  I uninstalled it after 2013 finished installing.  I was worried my outlook settings might get messed with.  Looks like that was the problem.  I just ran the 2013 installer again and now excel files open properly.  I was hoping that would fix my other annoying issue where clicking "enable editing" in word documents causes word to crash... but i suppose that's for another thread.

Advice to anyone with this issue or who is going to upgrade to 2013 - uninstall your current version of office first, or just re-install 2013.  Worked for me, maybe it will work for you.

I cannot open CSV files with 2013 Excel either.  I use EXCEL 2010 to open it and save it as XLS. Then 2013 will open it.  Also 2013 Excel cannot handle the number of rows Excel 2010 does.  I have to process lots (70,000) rows in 2010.  Then delete those I do not need, and with some luck 2013 Excel opens it ( around 40,000).  The more I work with 2013 EXCEL the LESS I like it.  Not even sure how it made it though QA.  Even more problems with PowerPivot 2013 vs. PowerPivot 2010.

Looks like an upgrade issue.  I had 2010 pro installed when i installed 2013 pro.  I uninstalled it after 2013 finished installing.  I was worried my outlook settings might get messed with.  Looks like that was the problem.  I just ran the 2013 installer again and now excel files open properly.  I was hoping that would fix my other annoying issue where clicking "enable editing" in word documents causes word to crash... but i suppose that's for another thread.

Advice to anyone with this issue or who is going to upgrade to 2013 - uninstall your current version of office first, or just re-install 2013.  Worked for me, maybe it will work for you.