File Cannot Open

Fix Word Not Enough Memory or Disk Space Error When Opening DOCX Files

Jason Miller Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users encounter a memory or disk space error when attempting to open external DOCX files in Microsoft Word.

How to Fix Word Not Enough Memory or Disk Space Error Opening DOCX

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Opening DOCX files received from external sources or downloaded from the internet.
Observed behavior: Word displays a 'Not enough memory or disk space' error and fails to open the file, even though the computer has adequate resources and locally created files open normally.

Before you start

Before modifying security settings, confirm your system has available RAM and disk space, and check if the affected DOCX file opens correctly on another computer to rule out file corruption.

Solution 1Recommended

Temporarily Disable Protected View in Trust Center

Since the error is frequently triggered by a corrupted Protected View feature blocking external files, temporarily disabling it can allow the files to open.

Disabling Protected View removes a layer of security that prevents potentially malicious scripts from running. Only use this workaround for files you trust, and re-enable the feature once troubleshooting is complete.

Access Word Options

Open Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Open Trust Center Settings

In the Word Options window, select 'Trust Center' from the left-hand pane, then click the 'Trust Center Settings' button.

Modify Protected View

Select the 'Protected View' tab on the left. Uncheck the box for 'Enable Protected View for files originating from the Internet' and other related options. Click 'OK' to save.

Test the File

Restart Microsoft Word and attempt to open the problematic external DOCX file again.

Temporarily Disable Protected View in Trust Center

Security Warning: Keeping Protected View disabled leaves your system vulnerable. Investigate repairing your Office installation so you can safely re-enable these settings.

Solution 2

Test with a New Windows User Profile

A corrupted Windows user profile can cause Office applications to mismanage temporary memory and Protected View settings. Testing in a new profile isolates the issue.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Open DOCX Files Instantly with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word continues to show false memory and disk space errors due to corrupted Protected View settings, WPS Office provides a reliable, lightweight alternative. It operates efficiently on fewer system resources while offering extensive format compatibility.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite from the official website.
2. Open WPS Writer: Launch the application and select 'Writer', the dedicated word processing tool.
3. Open Your Document: Click 'Open', browse for your external DOCX file, and access it without frustrating memory limit errors.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word DOC and DOCX formats.Lightweight software that requires less RAM and disk space.Familiar user interface for a seamless transition from Microsoft Office.Free to download and use with comprehensive document editing features.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word say there isn't enough memory when my computer has plenty of RAM?

This specific error is often a false alarm triggered by a malfunction in Word's Protected View feature, rather than a genuine hardware limitation. It typically happens when the software incorrectly handles security checks for files downloaded from the internet or received via email.

Does this disk space error affect other Office applications?

Yes, because Protected View is a shared security component across Microsoft Office, you may experience similar file-opening failures and memory errors in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint when opening external files.

How can I safely open an external DOCX file without disabling Protected View?

You can manually unblock individual files you trust. Right-click the downloaded DOCX file in File Explorer, select 'Properties', check the 'Unblock' box at the bottom of the 'General' tab, and click 'OK'. The file should now open normally in Word.

Document & File Issues