When I try to open a saved excel file, or try to open the desktop app directly, the app just hangs and will not open.

chris wright 0 Reputation points
2026-02-18T11:06:39.42+00:00

When I try to open a saved excel file, or try to open the desktop app directly, the app just hangs and will not open.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Microsoft 365 Defender | For home | iOS
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  1. Marcelo Mendoza 10,740 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-02-18T14:49:22.7333333+00:00

    Hi Chris,

    You have reach the community and I’m here to help, I understand that the saved excel file isn’t opening however I suggest first to clear the Excel’s startup folders (XLSTART folders). Close the excel completely and press Win+R then type: %appdata%\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART . If the folder contains any files like template, add-ins or spreadsheets move them temporarily to your Desktop. Next check the startup folder: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\XLSTART do the same like the previous folder and try opening the Excel again.

    I hope this answer is helpful if you have further questions feel free to reply back

    Regards,

    Marcelo

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  2. AI answer

    2026-02-18T11:06:50.44+00:00

    If Microsoft Excel is hanging when you try to open a saved file or the desktop app directly, it may be due to issues with mapped network drives or file associations. Here are some potential causes and resolutions:

    1. Mapped Network Drives: If your computer is connected to one or more mapped network shares that are nonexistent or currently offline, this can cause Excel to hang. Disconnect any problematic network drives. You can do this by right-clicking on "My Computer," selecting "Disconnect Network Drive," and then disconnecting the drives that are causing issues.
    2. File Associations: Incorrect file associations may also lead to Excel not opening files properly. You can reset the file associations for Excel to ensure that the correct application is used to open Excel files. This can be done through the properties of the file or through the Control Panel, depending on your version of Windows.
    3. Repair User Experience Virtualization (UE-V): If you are using UE-V, ensure that it is updated, as issues with this feature can also affect application performance.
    4. Check for Updates: Ensure that your Microsoft Office applications are up to date, as updates often fix bugs and improve performance.
    5. Try Safe Mode: You can also try opening Excel in Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. To do this, hold the Ctrl key while starting Excel, which can help identify if add-ins are causing the problem.

    If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to look further into your system configuration or seek additional support.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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