Error message when opening word doc: "Not Implemented" (Word for Windows)

Anonymous
2020-09-15T16:03:06+00:00

Hi,

When I try to access a word doc from the folder, after clicking on it an error appears that only says "Not Implemented".

I have restarted and updated my computer and used the repair function for Microsoft word, but to no avail. I am fortunately able to access the document by first opening word then opening the document that way, but I would like to simply find the file I am looking for and open it that way. 

Thank you for your help.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Stefan Blom 352.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-12-09T09:36:18+00:00

    I am having the same problem with 'Not implemented' error.  I can do an Open with MS Word and it works.

    So what are you doing when the error message does appear?

    Can you open documents successfully if you start Word first and then browse to files via File > Open > Browse?

    Have you tried a complete (online) Office repair (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/repair-an-office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b)?

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-12-12T23:36:28+00:00

    This started happening on my Windows 10 Office 365 a month or two ago.  I just wanted to note that the error occurs when I double click the file from the folder view but if I right click the file, click Open with, then select Word, it opens without a problem.  The problem started after an automatic update that prompted a reboot of my system.

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  3. Stefan Blom 352.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-12-13T00:44:17+00:00

    Since the problem occurs with double-clicking the icon for a Word document, an Office repair should help. The reason is that an Office repair will be able to restore the correct file associations (among other things). Have you tried a repair and it fails to fix the problem?

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-12-13T03:51:57+00:00

    Resetting all of the file associations in Settings\Apps\Default Apps\Choose default apps by file type had no affect on the problem. I will try a repair next but for me reinstalling is only a last resort.

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  5. Stefan Blom 352.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-12-13T14:53:32+00:00

    If an Office repair fails, you probably have to specify defaults for each file type. Is that what you tried? 

    Note that resetting to the defaults recommended by the operating system probably does not affect Office programs at all (because the Office programs are not installed by the operating system).

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