Updating office and getting an error message (Office for Windows)

Anonymous
2020-02-11T19:34:37+00:00

I have tried to open a word / excel document. 

It says it is updating, please wait a moment. 

After a few minutes I get a message saying: 

WINWORD.EXE - Application Error - This application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000142). Click OK to close the application.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-10-25T16:18:26+00:00

    This work around temporarily fixes the problem, but IT DOES NOT SOLVE IT. The problem will always return. 

    Uninstall all remnants of Office installations by using the Uninstall support tool (see Option 2 in the article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/uninstall-office-from-a-pc-9dd49b83-264a-477a-8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8).

    Run the System File Checker to verify the Windows system files (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-system-file-checker-in-windows-10-365e0031-36b1-6031-f804-8fd86e0ef4ca). Also install any pending Windows updates.

    Once those steps are complete, reinstall Office using your account at https://account.microsoft.com/services. Note that organization/business versions are managed via https://portal.office.com. If you run into activation issues, also see https://www.poremsky.com/office/remove-office-licenses-windows/.

    If the problem remains, continue troubleshooting add-ins; see https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/word/issues-when-start-or-use-word.

     Just researching, came across two VDOs suggesting Opening System Configuration  window.., checking Hide window option then disabling  all updates. and then saving it, thereafter Restarting PC.  Check. below link from google search -

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Hf\_BserJ8

    It works in my case, my word doc started opening up. At least i am able to complete my work.

    But I think this is not a complete solution.

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  2. Stefan Blom 351.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2020-10-25T15:31:56+00:00

    This work around temporarily fixes the problem, but IT DOES NOT SOLVE IT. The problem will always return. 

    Uninstall all remnants of Office installations by using the Uninstall support tool (see Option 2 in the article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/uninstall-office-from-a-pc-9dd49b83-264a-477a-8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8).

    Run the System File Checker to verify the Windows system files (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-system-file-checker-in-windows-10-365e0031-36b1-6031-f804-8fd86e0ef4ca). Also install any pending Windows updates.

    Once those steps are complete, reinstall Office using your account at https://account.microsoft.com/services. Note that organization/business versions are managed via https://portal.office.com. If you run into activation issues, also see https://www.poremsky.com/office/remove-office-licenses-windows/.

    If the problem remains, continue troubleshooting add-ins; see https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/word/issues-when-start-or-use-word.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-10-25T13:09:35+00:00

    You don't need to do the online repair, you can do the quick repair and get the same temporary result.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-10-25T13:07:57+00:00

    This work around temporarily fixes the problem, but IT DOES NOT SOLVE IT. The problem will always return.

    Was this answer helpful?

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-10-24T15:33:12+00:00

    Thanks, it worked for me!!

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