'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
    2014-01-21T02:46:00+00:00

    I had this issue with tying to upload resumes / CV to websites like trade me Jobs and seek. I found it was the attributes of the document being read only, once the properties of the file was changed from being read only they uploaded perfectly.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-19T22:15:34+00:00

    Dear Maddie,

         I had the same problem about 2 years ago. I am still new to PCs but I was able to resolve the issue by posting the question here on this site.

         Mr. Robins had 1 fix that did help, but I forgot which one.

    WARNING: Tampering or altering the registry on a PC is very dangerous as you can DAMAGE the workings on your PC; I would do this at the VERY, VERY last resort.

         1) To repair Microsoft Word 2010, insert the Install Disc for Microsoft Word 2010 into your PC and then select REPAIR. Do not leave un-attended during the repair because the Repair will prompt you to do some things, perhaps to install updates (during the repair process).

        1a) You might be able to do this without the install disc by typing Programs in the Start Box (bottom left hand corner of screen on the taskbar. Here  will be a list of all of the programs on your PC.  Left click on the Word program, and at the top of the page you will be given the choices to UNINSTALL, CHANGE, or REPAIR. REPAIR IS NOT ALWAYS OFFERED HERE, so I would try my suggestion 1) above if that is the case.

        2) I did step 1) and it did not solve the Word 2010 problem that I had. It turned it that it was caused by my CANON PIXMA MP495 Printer, (which I love). I uninstalled all of the Canon Programs, (which I described how to do in above 1a). Next I inserted the Canon Program disc into my PC and I followed the prompts. During this re-install process it "asked" me if I wanted to install all updates to the Canon program, I selected YES.  MY MICROSOFT WORD 2010 NO LONGER HAS ANY PROBLEMS!

        3) Many folks get the same WARNING:  'Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable.'; when attaching a Word document in their E-mail. I found the answer to that here at MS Community. When you click attach, and are re-directed to your document folder or whichever you choose, Before you select the folder or file that you which to attach: CHOOSE TO " Hide the preview pane " Select the file or folder and then you will be back to your E-mail, problem solved.

        I hope that one or more of these suggestions helps  you and others.  May that God bless and help you, Jim Colvin

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-19T21:09:44+00:00

    Hi Doug.  Thank you for answering this question and offering advice.  After I followed your instructions, it did stop but only temporary and I'm getting the same message again.  Someone stated that they repaired their 2010 Office Home and Student and it resolved the issue.

    My question is, how do you repair the 2010 Office Home and Student?

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-19T21:03:55+00:00

    Hi Cockadoodledoo.  I too am having this issue.  Noticed it started after a virus ended up on my laptop.  I corrected the Cache folder as instructed above and am still having this issue in Word.  I noticed that you repaired Office 2010 and it stopped.  How did you repair your Office Home and Student 2010.

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