I have a problem which has been frustrating me for a couple of weeks now. I\'m p

Question

I have a problem which has been frustrating me for a couple of weeks now. I'm posting here as a last resort because I can't find an answer that has worked so far on the net.

Here's my problem:

I have recently upgraded to Excel 2010 (from 2003) - basically all my dreams have come true.

Except for the fact that every time I open an excel file from windows explorer, it opens an extra blank workbook. And every time I open a second file from windows explorer, it starts a new instance of excel (and therefore also a blank workbook again).

Here's the state of affairs:

The DDE checkbox in the Excel options isnt checked.

I have checked the startup folders (searched my harddrive for all of them) and made sure that they dont contain any files - including any hidden files.

I have been to windows explorer > tools > folder options and changed the .xls file extension to open like so:

"C:ProgrammeMicrosoft OfficeOffice14EXCEL.EXE" "%1" and no DDE message

I've also tried inserting an e at the end but that didnt work...

I think the original settings were

"C:ProgrammeMicrosoft OfficeOffice14EXCEL.EXE" dde %1 with some sort of [open(%1)] DDE message

(the "programme" is because i'm on a german computer)

... and I'm running out of ideas!!

I am the only one with office 2010 at work so I'm only using .xls files for everything. This means that excel always opens in compatibility mode and I'm wondering if that might have something to do with it...

Any help will be richly rewarded with virtual thanks and many internets...

Cheers!!

Explanation / Answer

Do you face this issue with XLS or XLSX files?

If XLS, delete the following registry keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.xls
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.8
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerFileExts.xls


For XLSX, delete the following registry keys:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.xlsx
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTExcel.Sheet.12
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerFileExts.xlsx

Once done, repair Office 2010.

Note: Back up registry before modifying its contents.

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