Office Apps Not Opening

Fix Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Not Opening After Windows 10 Install

Chanuka Geekiyanage Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to launch Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, after completing a Windows OS installation.

How to Fix Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Not Opening After Windows Installation

Product: Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Device & OS: Windows 10 Pro
Scenario: Attempting to open office productivity applications after a fresh Windows installation.
Observed behavior: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint completely fail to open, and reinstalling Microsoft 365 twice does not resolve the problem.

Before you start

Ensure you have the Microsoft account credentials linked to your Microsoft 365 license on hand, and check that your new Windows 10 Pro installation has finished all pending system updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

Since standard reinstallation did not work, using the official uninstall and repair tool can resolve deep registry errors or corrupted files left behind during the Windows upgrade.

A standard reinstallation via the control panel often leaves behind corrupted registry keys or conflicting AppData files. The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant completely wipes these traces so you can start fresh.

Download the Repair Tool

Navigate to the official Microsoft support website and download the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant (SaRA).

Run the Uninstaller

Launch the tool, select 'Office' as the product, and choose the option to completely uninstall Office from your device.

Restart Windows

Once the tool finishes the complete removal process, restart your computer to apply the system changes.

Reinstall Microsoft 365

Log into www.office.com/myaccount with your linked Microsoft account, navigate to your subscriptions, and click 'Install' to download a clean copy of the suite.

Use the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

Solution 2

Check for Windows Compatibility and Updates

A fresh Windows 10 installation might be missing critical system drivers or framework updates required for Microsoft 365 applications to run properly.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office if Microsoft 365 Continues to Fail

If you urgently need to access your documents and Microsoft 365 won't open after your Windows update, WPS Office is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that installs in seconds without complex registry requirements.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file to install the suite in under a minute.
3. Open Your Files: Double-click your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files to open and edit them immediately in WPS Office.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight architecture ensures it opens instantly, even on newly installed operating systemsFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate tabbed interfaceCombines Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation into one single seamless application

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't Microsoft Office apps open after installing Windows 10 Pro?

A new Windows installation or major OS update can sometimes corrupt existing Office registry keys, misplace dependencies, or cause activation conflicts, which prevents the applications from launching correctly.

Does reinstalling Microsoft 365 delete my Word or Excel files?

No, uninstalling or reinstalling Microsoft 365 only replaces the application files. Your personal documents stored on your local hard drive or in OneDrive remain completely safe.

How do I verify if my Microsoft 365 license is still active?

You can check your license status by logging into www.office.com/myaccount with the Microsoft account associated with your purchase and navigating to the 'Subscriptions' or 'Services & Subscriptions' page.

Office App Problems