'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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

80 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-26T16:51:20+00:00

    I too have been having the same problem.

    I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling office 3 times.

    I am logged on as administrator.

    This happens with multiple web sites not just a single website.

    I have tried the suggestions above, including resetting the environment variable and the associated file, to no avail.

    I think it may have to do with Internet explorer setting or a security setting, but I'm getting nowhere.

    Please look into this more.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2013-02-14T18:05:16+00:00

    I am still having the same problem and after checking this all was correct and i still rechecked and restarted my pc and this still doesn't solve my problem. I am still getting the same message. word could not created the work file. check the temp environment variable.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2013-02-14T15:11:50+00:00

    No, there's something on my end.  I get the same on any site I send to (local hospital, small companies, SpringSchool, USGov. jobs, etc.).

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-02-14T10:46:54+00:00

    It sounds like your problem may be to do with the prospective employers site, rather than with Word itself.

    Are you able to open the document in Word?  If so, I would suggest that you save it as a pdf file and then upload that to the site.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments