Anyone having issues with processes related to Word, specifically 32 bit versus 64 bit.

Yes. The symptoms fit a 32-bit/64-bit Office compatibility issue.

Key points:

1. 32-bit and 64-bit Office are not interchangeable for all automation scenarios Native 64-bit Office processes cannot load 32-bit binaries. This commonly affects existing add-ins, ActiveX controls, and other COM-based components.
2. 32-bit Office is often the safer choice for legacy Word-integrated workflows Microsoft specifically calls out these cases where 32-bit Office is still the best choice:
   • 32-bit COM add-ins with no 64-bit alternative
   • 32-bit controls with no 64-bit alternative
   • VBA code that uses Declare statements and older 32-bit data types for pointers/handles
3. Template creation on 32-bit vs 64-bit is likely exposing dependency differences, not a template-format difference by itself If the transcription workflow depends on Word automation, COM components, controls, or VBA/macros behind the template, a template created or validated in a 32-bit Office environment may avoid failures caused by 64-bit incompatibilities.
4. Recent updates can surface existing compatibility problems If the application was already relying on older interop behavior, 32-bit controls, or COM registration assumptions, updates can make the crashes appear more often even though the root cause is still bitness compatibility.

Practical next steps:

1. Check the installed Word bitness In Word, go to File > Account > About Word and confirm whether Word is 32-bit or 64-bit.
2. Match the application process bitness to the Word/interop dependency path If the workflow depends on older Word automation components, COM add-ins, or 32-bit controls, standardize on 32-bit Office for that workstation group.
3. Review the workflow for these known 64-bit blockers
   • 32-bit COM add-ins
   • 32-bit ActiveX or other controls
   • VBA using Windows API Declare statements with Long for pointers/handles
4. If VBA/API declarations are involved, update them for 64-bit compatibility Microsoft notes that in many cases this requires adding PtrSafe to Declare statements and replacing Long with LongPtr for pointers/handles.
5. If the application automates Word through interop, avoid mixed bitness assumptions A Microsoft Q&A example for Word interop failures recommends checking Word bitness, avoiding Any CPU, and setting the project platform target to match the installed Word bitness.

Based on the described behavior, the most likely direction is to either:

• keep the transcription workflow on 32-bit Office, or
• update every dependent add-in/control/VBA/interop component so the full chain is 64-bit compatible.

References:

• Choose between the 64-bit or 32-bit version of Office
• Compatibility between the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Office
• Cannot run MS Word app anymore using Microsoft.Office.Interop.Word in all of my VB.Net 4.8 programs - Microsoft Q&A