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I cannot get Excel 2016 to open and run a file by clicking on the file from File Explorer. Is there a bug?
A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.
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.
The issue got solved by an online repair from the Programs and Features in the Control Panel.
Hope it helps to others
Nearly exactly a year later from this link being posted, and I encountered the exact same problem. I followed the repair instructions provided in the link and so far, so good. After attempting to open a file from Explorer, Excel launches along with opening the file, though [as if this was a first-time install] I'm prompted to enter the email associated with the account (or a phone # or a product key). Doing so re-adds the computer to my account.
There are many solutions on this thread because the same problem can be caused by many things ranging from simple oversights (e.g., your XLXS files are not associated with EXCEL.EXE) to an actual Excel 2016 bug. For me, XLXS files would not open directly from explorer -- even when selecting OPEN WITH and Excel 2016. (I use Windows 7 so this is not a Windows 10 bug, it is an Excel 2016 bug). The complete on-line repair tool instantly solved the problem...as long as "instantly" means after a 30 minute re-installation. Hard to believe Microsoft let Excel out of the lab with this bug and/or hasn't patched it. BTW, unchecking all the protection boxes in the Trust Center may work for some users but it is a dangerous solution. These protections are there for a reason.
Users cannot resolve this issue.
Are we all "Users" or are we "Customers"?
MS established and still enables this thread. (Check thread address)
Why? I thought it was to listen to the Voice Of the Customer. One would expect that MS would read and re-act to customer dissatisfaction in the thread they started and still enable - but they don't.
Anyone interested in launching a class action?
Anyone knows a good class-action lawyer in the USA?
Ken Bain
There are many solutions on this thread because the same problem can be caused by many things ranging from simple oversights (e.g., your XLXS files are not associated with EXCEL.EXE) to an actual Excel 2016 bug. For me, XLXS files would not open directly from explorer -- even when selecting OPEN WITH and Excel 2016. (I use Windows 7 so this is not a Windows 10 bug, it is an Excel 2016 bug). The complete on-line repair tool instantly solved the problem...as long as "instantly" means after a 30 minute re-installation. Hard to believe Microsoft let Excel out of the lab with this bug and/or hasn't patched it. BTW, unchecking all the protection boxes in the Trust Center may work for some users but it is a dangerous solution. These protections are there for a reason.
This was exactly my issue and these instructions fixed my problem. I had looked into the Trust Center but the settings were several steps in and I couldn't seem to find them. Thank you!