Office Apps Not Opening

How to Fix Microsoft Office 2013 Not Opening on Windows 10

Steve K Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to open Office 2013 applications such as Word, Excel, and OneNote on Windows 10. In some cases, standard repair and uninstall options also fail after a recent system update.

Fix Microsoft Office 2013 Not Opening on Windows 10

Product: Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013
Device & OS: Windows 10
Scenario: Attempting to launch Office 2013 applications or trying to repair/uninstall them after a recent Windows update.
Observed behavior: Applications fail to launch, occasionally displaying the error message 'The operating system is not presently configured to run this application'. Standard Control Panel repair processes may also freeze or fail.

Before you start

Ensure you have your original Office 2013 product key and Microsoft account login credentials available before attempting any uninstallation or rollback procedures.

Solution 1Recommended

Run an Office Quick Repair from the Control Panel

Use the built-in Windows Control Panel utility to quickly scan and replace corrupted Office files without needing an internet connection.

Quick Repair is the fastest way to resolve application launch failures and configuration errors. If this method fails, you can try the Online Repair option from the same menu.

Open Programs and Features

Press the Windows key, type 'Control Panel', and press Enter. Navigate to 'Programs' and then click on 'Programs and Features'.

Modify the Office Installation

Scroll down the list of installed software, select 'Microsoft Office 2013', and click the 'Change' button located at the top of the window.

Execute Quick Repair

Select 'Quick Repair' from the prompt and click 'Repair'. Wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer and try opening Word or Excel.

Run an Office Quick Repair from the Control Panel

Administrative Privileges Required: You will need to be logged into an administrator account on Windows 10 to modify or repair software installations.

Solution 2

Launch Applications in Safe Mode

Start Office applications in Safe Mode to determine if a third-party add-in is preventing them from opening.

Solution 3

Completely Uninstall and Reinstall Office

Remove stubborn or broken installations using the official Microsoft uninstaller tool and reinstall a clean version.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Office 2013 suddenly not opening on Windows 10?

Recent Windows or Office updates can cause compatibility issues, particularly build 15.0.5589.1001, which triggers configuration errors. Corrupted add-ins or damaged registry keys are also common culprits.

Will running Quick Repair delete my personal files?

No, running a Quick Repair or an Online Repair from the Control Panel only replaces missing or corrupted application files. It does not affect your documents, spreadsheets, or personal data.

What should I do if the standard uninstall process fails?

If the Control Panel uninstaller fails or freezes, use the official Microsoft Office Uninstall Support Tool. This utility forcefully cleans up broken installations and corrupted registry entries so you can reinstall cleanly.

How do I disable a problematic add-in once in Safe Mode?

Open the application in Safe Mode, navigate to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage drop-down, click Go, and uncheck the suspicious add-ins before restarting normally.

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