Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Microsoft Word suddenly freezing when trying to browse for files.

Today I have had several reports of people freezing in Microsoft Word and Outlook for no particular reason. Well, the problems is a result of a recent series of Microsoft Updates that affect browsing. Fortunately there is a fix published April 15, 2006. You can read Microsoft Article 918165 and retrieve the fix.

This is the link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/918165

SYMPTOMS
After you install security update MS06-015 (908531) - THIS IS NOT THE FIX!!(http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms06-015.mspx), you may experience one of more of the following issues:

  • Unable to access special folders like "My Documents" or "My Pictures".
    Microsoft Office applications may stop responding when you attempt to save or open Office files in the "My Documents" folder.
  • Office files in the "My Documents" folder are not able to open in Microsoft Office.
    Opening a file through an application's File / Open menu causes the program to stop esponding .
  • Typing an address into Internet Explorer’s address bar has no effect.
  • Right-clicking on a file and selecting Send To has no effect.
  • Clicking on the plus (+) sign beside a folder in Windows Explorer has no effect.
  • Some third-party applications stop responding when opening or saving data in the “My Documents” folder.

- Karl J. 4/18/06