I can no longer access Word or Outlook - need a solution

TommyO · 29 Jun 2014

I've been using Office Home & Business 2013 for over a year. I use Word and Outlook every day. But starting on Friday I get this message when I try to use these programs: "Office is busy. We're sorry WINWORD.EXE can't be used right now because Office is busy. We're either updating or helping you add or remove some programs." I also get the same message when I try to use Outlook.

I can sometime access these programs if I Restart the computer. Of course it's ridiculous to have to restart my computer every time I want to use an Office program.

Can anyone give me a solution. By the way, I installed the Office program with a Product Key. I bought the package from either Amazon.com or Micro Center.

mitchell65 · 29 Jun 2014

Have you got an anti virus program installed and if so is it up to date? If yes to both then try running the free version of Malwarebytes

Ranger4 · 29 Jun 2014

In addition to mitchell65's suggestions try repairing Office. Open Control Panel, select Programs & Features, scroll down to Microsoft Office, right click on it & select Change & then follow the Repair options listed.

Also check that you have the latest Office updates. Open any Office program & Select File, then Account & there will be a check box for Update Options, click on that & there is an option to Update Now if you wish.

TommyO · 29 Jun 2014

This advice did the trick - "Open Control Panel, select Programs & Features, scroll down to Microsoft Office, right click on it & select Change & then follow the Repair options listed."

I wrote this solution down on a card in case I'll need it again.

Thanks

Ranger4 · 29 Jun 2014

TommyO said:

This advice did the trick - "Open Control Panel, select Programs & Features, scroll down to Microsoft Office, right click on it & select Change & then follow the Repair options listed."

I wrote this solution down on a card in case I'll need it again.

Thanks

You are welcome. Happy to have been able to help.

mitchell65 · 30 Jun 2014

TommyO said:

This advice did the trick - "Open Control Panel, select Programs & Features, scroll down to Microsoft Office, right click on it & select Change & then follow the Repair options listed."

I wrote this solution down on a card in case I'll need it again.

Thanks

That's fine but you have only perhaps attended to the symptoms not the cause! I really think it would pay you to do what I suggested in my earlier post! It can do no harm and just might stop the same problem re occurring!