'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. Anonymous
    2012-01-31T22:49:07+00:00

    Hi Doug,

    I don't have word open when Im trying to upload a file and have tried a .doc and a .docx file and still ge the same error message.  I don't think its that particular job site as looking at other people's queries they are getting the same message when trying to upload files to any websites (including other job websites).

    All I have done is opened the website, gone to the job and clicked 'apply' then where it says upload a file I have browsed to the folder and clicked on the file I want to upload.  Its then that I get the message "word could not create the work file.  Check temporary environment variable" and I am then unable to proceed.

    If I then click submit the website removes the file from the 'upload' box and doesn't move any further forward.

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  2. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2012-01-31T10:57:14+00:00

    seek.com.au allows you to upload a file in the following formats:

    .doc, .docx, .pdf, .rtf, or .txt

    Word does not need to be running when you upload a Word file

    I just created a profile and uploaded a garbage file so it will be interesting to see what offers I get (i'm not looking for a job)

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-01-31T03:16:11+00:00

    As previously mentioned in my initial question and exactly the same circumstances as the other respondent T Biag L.  

    When I am applying for jobs on a career website, in my instance using seek.com.au,  or any other sites when I have to upload a word document.  If I try to upload I get the error message "word could not create the work file.  Check temporary environment variable" and I am then unable to proceed.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-01-30T22:07:36+00:00

    While applying for a job in careerbuilder.com------browse to file----select my resume (Word 2010).  Immediately the error pops up (2 or 3 windows with the same message).  The file loads anyway. I might go ahead and convert to .pdf as you suggested.  However, in some cases it may be necessary to send in Word format and, if not corrected, could pop up other times in the future.

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