'Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable.' What is the simplest way to resolve this please!

Anonymous
2012-01-11T10:55:22+00:00

When I open Word I get this message every time: 'Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable.' Word then crashes very often without autosaving. 

I've found many people asking this question but I utterly do not understand the answers people have given them! Is there a simple way to resolve this - I know literally nothing about computers! Please help with the easiest solution possible.

Many thanks!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2012-01-11T20:35:19+00:00

When I open Word I get this message every time: 'Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable.' Word then crashes very often without autosaving. 

I've found many people asking this question but I utterly do not understand the answers people have given them! Is there a simple way to resolve this - I know literally nothing about computers! Please help with the easiest solution possible.

Many thanks!

The error message "Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable". Can be caused by incorrect registry values in the key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell Folders.

Click Start and in the start search field, type

Regedit

and press enter.

In the registry editor, browse to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer\User Shell Folders

On the right hand pane, check the value data for Cache.

It has to be %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files.

If it is different, double click on Cache and type:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files

under value data and click ok. Close the registry and  restart the computer and check if it works.

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  1. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2012-01-30T20:36:51+00:00

    Under what circumstances do you get the error?

    --
    Hope this helps.

    Doug Robbins - Word MVP,
    Email: dkr[atsymbol]mvps[dot]org
    Posted via the Community Bridge

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-30T19:53:21+00:00

    I am having the identical problem (Word 2010, Wndows 7).  the registry is correct, and the Temporary Internet Files folder is in the correct location.  So, what else could be the cause/solution?

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  3. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2012-01-30T09:35:57+00:00

    What do you mean by the "apply button"

    Actually, if you already have a file saved, and what you want to do is submit it to some website, there is no reason for you to be involving Word at all.

    That said, I would suggest that rather than submitting Word files, you convert the documents to .pdf format and submit them in that format.

    Use the File>Save & Sent>Create PDF/XPS Document.

    --

    Hope this helps.

    Doug Robbins - Word MVP,

    Email: dkr[atsymbol]mvps[dot]org

    Posted via the Community Bridge

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-01-30T03:33:01+00:00

    Please help.  I have tried the above, and similar solutions all on the same theme but I am still getting the same error message.

    It is specifically when using job sites.  If I hit the apply button and attach a CV or Cover Letter I get the message "word could not create the work file.  Check temporary environment variable" this was ok to a point and would still send the information however, this has now also stopped and I can't send any of these files through a job seeking website.

    I'm going around in circles trying to resolve this as are a number of other people after researching the issue on the internet. 

    Please tell me what I can do to resolve it.

    Thank you.

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