Windows 7: Word process doesn't stop

gogreen · 01 Apr 2011

Why does MS Word not shut down properly? This happens occasionally and, I think, haphazardly. I go into task manager and even though I've closed the program, the Winword file remains, thus preventing my deleting Word's temp files.

Thanks.

Irene · 02 Apr 2011

You could try an Office Repair (I have assumed that you are running Office 2010):

Quote:

Repair your Office 2010 programs

Repair your Office 2010 programs by doing the following:

Click Start, then click Control Panel.
Click Programs and Features.
Click the Office 2010 program that you want to repair, then click Change.
Click Repair, then click Continue. You might need to restart your computer after the repair is complete.

gogreen · 02 Apr 2011

Hi Irene. I've tried a repair before--forgot to mention that. It's OK for a while after the repair, but goes back to its bad behavior.

Bill2 · 02 Apr 2011

Click start orb, in run box type:

winword /a

Hit enter. This starts word in safe mode to a blank document. Now close word and check in task manager whether the exe is still running. If it isnt, the problem is likely because of some add-in.

gogreen · 02 Apr 2011

It's still running after starting winword /a. I could run a repair, but that isn't a permanent cure. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Imperfect1 · 02 Apr 2011

This is a common problem with Word, unfortunately. Here are some suggestions:

Open file and close it by clicking on File, Close, NOT by using the X icon in the upper-right corner. See if that works.

If it doesn't, with the file open, open Task Manager. Highlight the file in Task Manager and “End Process.” Then go to Windows Explorer and see if you can delete the file. (If Task Manager doesn't see that file open, go into your Start menu's Recent Items list, select that file, and with that file open, go back into Task Manager. Highlight that file in Task Manager and “End Process.” Then go to Windows Explorer and you should be able to close or delete the file. You may have to repeat this process several times, each time selecting the next most recent item in the Recent Items list.)

If that doesn’t work, right-click Computer, select Manage, Shared and from the list select Open Files. Close the open files and try to close or delete the file again.

If none of the above works, go back into Task Manager, Processes + close explorer.exe. Then restart explorer.exe by going back into Task Manager, and in File section, select New Task (Run). Type explorer.exe (or C:\Windows\explorer.exe) in the Run box (it may be there already). Below the command, it should say: This task will be run with Administrator privileges. Click Okay

You can also try some 3rd party apps:

Unlocker - when you're trying to delete a file but Windows says no because the file is supposedly in use. If you can't figure out what program is using it, the error is usually caused by the file handle being held open by a program, process, or another user. The challenge is finding what has it open, and the freeware utility Unlocker makes it easy to identify. Simply right-click the folder or file and select Unlocker. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of lockers will appear. Simply click 'Unlock All' and you are done!

LockHunter - a free tool to delete files blocked by any processes - LockHunter is a free tool similar to Unlocker to delete files blocked by someone you do not know. LockHunter is useful for fighting against malware, and other programs that blocks files without a reason. Unlike other similar tools it deletes files into the Recycle Bin so you may restore them if deleted by mistake. Supports 32-bit and 64-bit Vista.

gogreen · 02 Apr 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Imperfect1

This is a common problem with Word, unfortunately. Here are some suggestions:

Open file and close it by clicking on File, Close, NOT by using the X icon in the upper-right corner. See if that works.

I've used this before with other applications. Didn't connect the two. I'll try this for a while first and see what happens after a while because this is the likely candidate.

Thanks!

Windows 7: Word process doesn't stop

Word process doesn't stop problems?