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Fix Windows Slowdown and Office Apps Not Opening After Update
Question details
The user is experiencing significant system slowdowns and is unable to launch Microsoft Office applications such as Word or Excel following a recent Windows update.
- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to open existing documents or launch Office applications after installing a new Windows system update.
- Observed behavior
- The Windows operating system performs slowly, and Microsoft Office applications either freeze, crash, or fail to open completely.
Before troubleshooting, ensure that you have saved any ongoing work in other applications and restart your computer, as a simple reboot can often resolve temporary post-update glitches.
Repair the Microsoft Office Installation
Use the built-in Windows repair tool to automatically detect and fix corrupted Office files that are preventing the applications from launching.
A Windows update can sometimes interfere with Office background files. The Quick Repair tool is the safest and fastest way to restore functionality without deleting your files.
Click the Start menu, type 'Apps & features' into the Windows search bar, and press Enter to open the system settings.
Scroll down the list of installed applications or use the search bar to find your Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 installation.
Click on the Microsoft Office entry and select 'Modify'. You may need to grant administrator permissions.
Select the 'Quick Repair' option and click 'Repair'. Wait for the process to finish. If the issue persists, repeat these steps and choose 'Online Repair'.
Run Windows Update Troubleshooter and System File Checker
Identify and repair underlying Windows update issues and corrupted system files that might be causing the system slowdown.
Start Word or Excel in Safe Mode
Launch Office apps in Safe Mode to determine if a third-party add-in is blocking the software from opening properly.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable, Hassle-Free Experience
If Microsoft Office continues to crash or fails to open after Windows updates, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, reliable alternative that operates smoothly even on older systems, avoiding the heavy performance toll of constant background updates.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button to get the lightweight Windows installer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your PC.
- 3. Open Your Existing Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents with perfect format retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Windows updates cause Office apps to stop working?
Windows updates can occasionally overwrite, move, or corrupt shared system files and registry keys that Microsoft Office relies on to launch, leading to software freezing or severe slowdowns.
Will repairing Microsoft Office delete my personal documents?
No. Running a Quick Repair or Online Repair for Microsoft Office only fixes the core program files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and settings remain completely untouched.
What is the difference between Quick Repair and Online Repair?
Quick Repair fixes common issues rapidly by using installation files already stored on your hard drive. Online Repair takes longer because it downloads fresh, clean installation files from Microsoft's servers to completely reinstall corrupted components.
How do I exit Safe Mode in Word or Excel?
To exit Safe Mode, simply close the Office application completely. The next time you open the program normally from your Start menu or desktop shortcut, it will launch in standard mode.
