Office Apps Not Opening

Fix Office 2013 Update 15.0.5589.1001 Preventing Apps from Opening

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 13, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users are unable to launch Microsoft Office 2013 applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook after installing the Click-to-Run update version 15.0.5589.1001.

How to Fix Office 2013 Update 15.0.5589.1001 Preventing Apps from Opening

Product: Microsoft Office 2013
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open existing documents or launch the Office 2013 applications following an automatic software update.
Observed behavior: Office applications fail to open, freeze, or crash immediately upon launch after update 15.0.5589.1001 is applied.

Before you start

Office 2013 officially reached its end of support on April 11, 2023. Continuing to use this version may expose your device to security risks, so proceed with caution when rolling back updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Roll Back Office 2013 to a Previous Build

Since Click-to-Run updates cannot be uninstalled individually, reverting to a known-working earlier build will bypass the bug introduced in version 15.0.5589.1001.

Rolling back your Office 2013 installation to an earlier version requires using the Command Prompt to execute the Office Click-to-Run executable.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Click the Windows Start button, type 'cmd', right-click 'Command Prompt', and select 'Run as administrator'.

Execute the Rollback Command

Type 'cd %programfiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun' and press Enter. Then type 'officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=15.0.5571.1000' (or another prior stable version number) and press Enter.

Disable Automatic Updates

Once the rollback is complete and your apps open successfully, go to File > Account > Update Options and select 'Disable Updates' to prevent the buggy update from reinstalling.

Roll Back Office 2013 to a Previous Build

Update Management: Because Office 2013 no longer receives new security patches, leaving automatic updates disabled will not cause you to miss future security enhancements.

Solution 2

Submit Feedback via the Microsoft Feedback Portal

Notify Microsoft of the severe bug to encourage an investigation, although direct fixes are unlikely for unsupported software.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Stable, Modern Office Experience

If you are struggling with outdated Office 2013 bugs and do not want to purchase an expensive new license, WPS Office offers a free, highly compatible alternative. It provides the same core productivity tools without the update-breaking issues of unsupported software.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the quick installation.
3. Open Your Office Files: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents to resume working instantly.

Completely free to download and use for all essential office tasks.Highly compatible with all major Microsoft Office file formats, including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight design ensures fast performance, even on older computers previously running Office 2013.Familiar tabbed user interface guarantees a seamless migration with zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Microsoft release a fix for Office 2013 update 15.0.5589.1001?

Because Microsoft Office 2013 reached its End of Support on April 11, 2023, Microsoft no longer provides bug fixes, technical support, or new security updates. A direct patch for this issue is highly unlikely.

Can I uninstall just the specific update 15.0.5589.1001 from the Control Panel?

No. Office 2013 Click-to-Run updates are cumulative and cannot be individually uninstalled via the Windows Control Panel. You must use the Command Prompt method to roll back the entire installation to a previous version number.

Are my files safe if my Office 2013 apps refuse to open?

Yes, your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations are safely stored on your hard drive. The application failure does not affect the files themselves. You can easily access them by rolling back the update or by opening them in a free alternative suite like WPS Office.

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