Excel 2016: double-clicking on a file opens two Excel windows

I was experiencing the same problem and here's what worked for me.

I moved the PERSONAL.XLSB file from the XLSTART folder to my desktop and renamed it zPERSONAL.XLSB.

I opened Excel and recorded a macro to create a new PERSONAL.XLSB file and saved it.

I opened my previous personal macro book zPERSONAL.XLSB, then opened the Visual Basic editor and manually copied all of the modules over to the new PERSONAL.XLSB workbook.

I re-saved PERSONAL.XLSB and my duplicate window issue has disappeared.

Option 1 worked but the file that was in the XLSTART folder was for personalized macro's and they don't seem to work unless they are in that folder, is that correct?

Thanks,

lp

The idea is to move the existing Personal.xlsb out of the XLSTART folder, then create a new one in XLSTART by recording a macro, and finally move all code from the old version to the new one.

All your personal macros should be available again, while the problem with an empty Excel window opening should be gone.

I think I have a much easier fix from a coworker...double click an excel file, that file and a blank sheet will open, on the blank worksheet, go to the View menu and unhide the personal macro book, then hide it again and close the workbook(s)...it should ask you if you want to save the personal.xlsb (so it stays hidden). Try to double click an excel file and see if it works...worked for me.

EJ

Unfortunately, that only works if one HAS a personal macro book.  I don't have one and, when I go to the View menu, the "unhide" option is grayed out and not functional.