WORD Documents unable to open anymore - NEED HELP!

I am having a similar problem. My computer won't open up word documents. It tells me that "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs Control Panel.
The problem is obvious, my computer does not have the .docx extension associated with Word 2010 documents.
I have attempted to find the program for association, but I could not find it. I even checked the link the shortcut I use to open up word points to, but it does not work.

Following Profdlp's suggestion, here is what comes up:
.doc=Word.Document.8

Help?

Althought these two issues are different, you can both try this:

Go to the Office Button in top left corner.
Go to the Word Options at the bottom of list next to Exit Word
In Word Options go to Resources.
Run the Word Diagnostics

This is a good first step in seeing if Windows can fix the association. there is also a Update button in that Resources Tab and a Activate Word button that might also help.

For the file association, you can do this to see if you can change the default file association:

Type "File Associations" into SearchBar

Click on "Change a file type associated with a file extension"

the "Set Associations" window will appear.

Scroll Down through the file types till you find the file extension you want to edit

Click on "Change Program" if it is not already assigned to the correct Program

A window will appear with Recommended Programs. If you don't see the one you need, click on the "Browse" Button

After changes are made, click on the OK button.

Thorsen said:

For the file association, you can do this to see if you can change the default file association:

Type "File Associations" into SearchBar

Click on "Change a file type associated with a file extension"

the "Set Associations" window will appear.

Scroll Down through the file types till you find the file extension you want to edit

Click on "Change Program" if it is not already assigned to the correct Program

A window will appear with Recommended Programs. If you don't see the one you need, click on the "Browse" Button

After changes are made, click on the OK button.

This is where my problem arises. I cannot find Word 2010 in any directory, at all.

it should be here:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\WINWORD.EXE
............................................ ^^^ this will probably be a diff folder.

you can also do a search for the file winword.exe

that should be where Word is...