Windows 7: Cannot Open Docs from Windows Explorer

I am using Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on a new computer. I can no longer open documents from Window Explorer, as I used to be able to do in XP. Also, everytime I try to open any of the office programs (and some others as well) I get a box that asks me if I want to allow that program to make changes to my computer. I never used to get that in XP. I am the only person using this computer and I believe that I set it up so that I have administrative privileges on everything. So I assume that I have not set some permission correctly. Could someone give me some advice on how to do this. All these warnings and questions are annoying.

" everytime I try to open any of the office programs (and some others as well) I get a box that asks me if I want to allow that program to make changes to my computer."

This is User Account Control trying to secure your computer from incoming connections/applications . You can edit these settings to your liking by clicking the windows button, and typing user account control in the index search box. From there edit the settings of 'User Account Control' to your liking of XP, which would mean you need to turn it off basically. This method is not deemed secure, but will satisfy you, it did me

Polly,
Welcome to SevenForums.

Let's concentrate on the .doc problem.

You should not be having this problem.
I have Win 7 Ultimate (32 bit version). I have MS office 2010l.
I have my UAC slider set to one down from all of the way up to the top.

Would you please use the snipping tool to make a snapshot of what you see?

WIN | type SNIP | ENTER
WIN is the key with the wavy flag.

Make a snip and then post in your next msg.
Screenshot - How to post

Are you using MS Office? If yes, which version?

That did the trick jailbirdslanger. What threats does doing this pose? The warnings seem dire. Should I be OK if I have firewall/virus protection, etc.?

I am using Office 2007. When I try to open a Word document from Windows Explorer, I first get the User Account Control window that asks "Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to this computer?". I say yes and it opens Word but not the document and this window comes up.

Polly,

This solution is worse, far worse, than the disease.

If you have any doubts on this issue, please post a question in the System Security forum of this site.

You definitely need an anti-virus software and a firewall. They are NOT sufficient to protect you.

For an anti-virus, I recommend, without reservations, the AV software used by the majority of the experienced people helping others here, namely, Microsoft Security Essentials.
MSE - Microsoft Security Essentials

Download MSE,
Uninstall any AV, anti-whatever software you have installed.
Install MSE.

Uninstall any 3rd party firewall software.
Turn on Windows Firewall.

Do NOT install any of those super-duper speed-up-your-computer/clean-up-your computer programs.

Do install, if you would like, the number one "cleaner" program. This program is free and is miles and miles above anything else in this category.
The program is:CCleaner

Polly,
What happens if you first open Word, and then from inside Word-you try to open the file?

Oh yes, If you have been running without an Anti-Virus program. Then stop everything and download and use Microsoft Security Essentials.

This is unbelievably mandantory. Running without AV software is fool-hardy at best.

I have Norton Internet Security and prefer that. Are you saying that I have picked up a virus and that is what is causing my problem?

I can open documents if I first open Word, but as I said, I cannot open the documents from Windows Explorer.

Your problem with Word is not normal. Try to fix it by running Microsoft Office Diagnostics. You find those in e.g. Word Options > Resources.
I would stick with NIS. Beats MSE hands down. I have both (on different systems) and that is my experience.