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
    2021-04-04T12:30:15+00:00

    I was having the ipdating problem with office PRIOR to getting 365. Had same problem with stand alone outlook.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-02-23T11:26:58+00:00

    I had the exact problem (for office 2019 pro) on Win 10.
    Solved by going to SETTINGS-->APPS-->Office2019-->restore--->offline restore

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-02-22T15:58:17+00:00

    I have the same problem on Feb 22, 2021

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-02-18T12:24:29+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.

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    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2021-02-10T05:29:19+00:00

    Hi Cindy

    This seems to be a recurring problem this week for many users, follow these steps to perform a full repair of your Office installation . . .

    Open Control Panel - Programs and Features

    Click Microsoft Office in the list of installed applications

    At the top, click 'Change'

    On the resulting dialog, click 'Repair' - choose the Online Repair, it is a comprehensive fix

    That should fix any issues with your Office Installation . . .

    it worked  thank you.

    Sorry but in the past this did not fix it.  The microsoft problem can corrupt the program beyond this repair capability.

    Then You are into an uninstall and reinstall of Office.  And the problem will happen again!  if this works or if you have to  reinstall Office,

    after that when the update window shows up,  SHUT your computer off and then reboot.  Before the error message appears!

    This an old thread and this an old suggestion that has been replaced by a better one.  Please look at the thread.

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