File Cannot Open

Fix Word Error: This Document Has Been Deleted or Is Not Accessible

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is attempting to open a Microsoft Word document but receives an error stating that the file has been deleted or is no longer accessible.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening a previously saved or recently accessed document from the Word application or File Explorer.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word blocks the file from opening and displays the prompt: 'This document has been deleted or is not currently accessible.'

Before you start

Verify that the document wasn't accidentally moved to your computer's Recycle Bin or transferred to an external drive that is currently disconnected.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify the File Location and Restore if Moved

This error frequently occurs when you try to open a file from Word's 'Recent' list, but the actual file has been moved, renamed, or deleted in File Explorer.

Microsoft Word keeps shortcuts to your recently opened files. If the original file is modified outside of Word, the shortcut breaks, resulting in this error.

Check the Recent Files path

Open Microsoft Word, go to 'File' > 'Open' > 'Recent'. Hover over the problematic document to see its last known folder path.

Navigate to the folder

Open File Explorer and browse to that specific folder to see if the file is still there.

Search your PC

If the file is missing from the folder, use the search bar in the top right of File Explorer to search for the document's name in 'This PC'.

Check the Recycle Bin

Open the Windows Recycle Bin on your desktop. If you find the file there, right-click it and select 'Restore' to return it to its original location.

Cloud Storage: If the file was stored on OneDrive or SharePoint, check your online recycle bin or version history via your web browser.

Solution 2

Check and Modify File Permissions

If the file is present on your drive but still throws the accessibility error, your Windows user account might lack the necessary permissions to read the file.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Reliable Document Management

If you frequently encounter access errors, missing file issues, or permission glitches in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly alternative that handles document processing efficiently without heavy resource usage.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office installer.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup on your computer.
3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Writer and seamlessly open all your existing .docx files with full formatting retention.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsLightweight design ensures fast loading and stable performanceBuilt-in local and cloud backup features to prevent data lossFree to use with a familiar interface for seamless migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word say my file is deleted when it is still in the folder?

This can happen if the file's temporary owner file (a hidden file starting with '~$') has become corrupted, or if an antivirus program has locked the file, preventing Word from accessing it properly.

Can I recover a Word document if it was permanently deleted?

Yes, if you have Windows File History enabled, you can right-click the folder where the file used to be, select 'Restore previous versions', and recover an older state of the folder.

Does this accessibility error occur with files stored on a USB drive?

Yes. If you opened a file from a USB drive, safely removed the drive, and then tried to open the file again from Word's Recent list, Word will fail to locate the document and trigger this error.

How do I fix this if the file is on a shared network drive?

If the file is on a network drive, another user or the network administrator may have moved it or restricted your access. You will need to contact the network admin to verify the file's current location and request access permissions.

Document & File Issues