If you get Word could not create the work file, check the temp environment variable error while connecting Word to another program; here are a couple of fixes that you can use to eliminate this problem. This error can occur with any version of Microsoft Office products like Word, Excel or PowerPoint on Windows 11/10/8/7. Although in this post, we have taken the example of Word, a similar procedure was applied to fix the error in Excel & PowerPoint too.
With lots of features, Word is one of the most used Office components for me. Today, I was trying to use SharePoint as a collaboration tool along with Microsoft Word, so that I could connect with my team, but Word didn’t let me do so. I was being forced by Word to use my local documents in it, as evident from this error prompt I received.
What causes the Could not create the work file error in Office applications?
There can be several causes that may trigger the error at hand. Here are some of the possible reasons for this error:
- This error can be a result of malware present on your system that might be interfering with the regular working of your Office application. You can try scanning and removing the malware to fix the error.
- Another reason for the same error can be system file corruption or file system errors present on your computer. If the scenario applies, you can try running an SFC scan followed by the CHKDSK command to fix the error.
- If the Temporary Internet Files folder location is not set correctly, this error may occur. In that, you can try changing the location of the Temporary Internet Files folder in Internet Properties.
Word could not create the work file, Check the Temp Environment Variable
As you can see in the image, there was nothing to help me to fix up this issue except the error message itself. I tried Microsoft Support, but their solutions did not work for me – I guess they were for previous Word editions. Then I came to the conclusion that this is due to incorrect registry entries. So, finally, I got two fixes to troubleshoot this issue and would like to share with you all.
To fix Word could not create the work file, check the temp environment variable error, follow these steps:
- Run an SFC scan and check for disk errors.
- Add an Environment Variable.
- Disable Preview pane.
- Create a Temporary Internet Files folder.
- Change the Temporary Internet Files location from Internet Properties.
- Reregister Word files.
- Use the Registry fix.
Let’s check out these steps in detail.
1] Run an SFC scan and check for disk errors
This error can be a result of system file corruption or disk errors on your PC. So, the first thing you should do to get rid of the error is to run an SFC scan and then check & repair disk errors. SFC or System File Checker is an inbuilt utility in Windows that allows users to scan and fix corrupted system files via Command Prompt. On the other hand, you can repair disk errors using another Windows built-in tool called Check Disk Utility (CHKDSK).
Before that, you can try scanning for malware on your system using your antivirus suite. If it doesn’t find any malware on your computer, go ahead with the below steps.
Here are the steps to fix system file corruption and disk error to resolve error:
- Firstly, open the Command Prompt with elevated privilege.
- Now, type the below command and press Enter to execute it:
sfc.exe /scannow
- When the command is fully executed and system file errors are fixed, you can go ahead with tunning disk error check.
- In the elevated Command Prompt, enter the below command:
chkdsk /r /f
- When the file system errors are repaired, reboot your PC, open Word, and try attempting the same action which gave you the error.
Hopefully, this method fixes the error for you. However, in case it doesn’t, you can move on to the next potential fix.
2] Add an Environment Variable
Another fix that you can try is adding a new environment variable. It has fixed the error for many affected users and might work for you as well. Here are the steps to do that:
- Firstly, open the Settings app using Windows + I hotkey and navigate to System > About.
- Now, locate the Related links section and click the Advanced system settings option.
- In the new System Properties window, make sure you are on the Advanced tab.
- Next, press the Environment Variables button.
- After that, under User variables for <username> (<username> is your user name), click on the New button.
- Then, enter the following values in respective fields:
-Inside the Variable name field, enter %userprofile%.
-Inside the Variable value field, enter C:\Users\<username> (type your username in place of <username>). - Finally, select the OK button to create a new environment variable.
After doing so, restart your device and attempt the same action in Word and see if the error is now fixed. In case you don’t find luck in this method, we have some more fixes; so move to the next potential method now.
3] Disable Preview pane
You can also try disabling the Preview pane in File Explorer to fix the error. It is a kind of workaround and might work for you. To do that, you can open File Explorer using Win+E hotkey and then click on the View drop-down option. Then, go to the Show > preview pane option and make sure it is unchecked. See if this fixes the issue for you.
In case you don’t want to completely disable the Preview pane, you can disable preview for Word and other Office files by editing certain registry subkeys. But, make sure to back up the registry as an incorrect modification to the Registry can lead to serious problems.
Here are the steps to disable preview for Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files in File Explorer:
- Firstly, press the Win+R hotkey to evoke Run dialog and then enter regedit in it to open up the Registry Editor app.
- Now, in Registry Editor, look for the following keys:
Word Preview:HKCR\CLSID\{84F66100-FF7C-4fb4-B0C0-02CD7FB668FE}
PowerPoint Preview:HKCR\CLSID\{65235197-874B-4A07-BDC5-E65EA825B718}
Excel Preview:HKCR\CLSID\{00020827-0000-0000-C000-000000000046} - Next, delete the above keys one by one.
- After that, reboot Windows and see if the error is now fixed.
4] Create a Temporary Internet Files folder
You can also try creating a Temporary Internet Files folder to resolve the error. To do that, you can follow the below steps:
- Firstly, open the Run dialog box using Win+R hotkey and then enter the below address in the Open box:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache
You might need to enable the View > Show > Hidden items option in File Explorer to view the location.
- Now, in the opened location, right-click on the empty space and then select the New > Folder option to create a new folder
- Next, name the newly created folder as Content.Word.
- After that, reboot your PC and see if the error is fixed now.
There is another method to create a Temporary Internet Files folder using Command Prompt. Here are the steps to do that:
- Firstly, launch Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Now, enter the below commands one by one:
cd /d %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache MD Content.Word
If this fixes the issue for you, well and good. If not, go ahead with the next solution.
5] Change the Temporary Internet Files location from Internet Properties
In case you have not selected the correct Temporary Internet Files location, you might experience this error in Word and other Office applications. So, make sure you have chosen the correct location, and if not, you can try modifying the Temporary Internet Files location from Internet Properties. Here is how to do that:
- Firstly, open the Run dialog box using Win+R and then enter inetcpl.cpl in it to launch the Internet Properties window.
- Now, in the General tab, under the Browsing history section, tap on Settings which will open up the Website Data Settings window.
- In the new dialog window, make sure you are in the Temporary Internet Files tab. Here, you will see the current location for the folder. Simply click on the Move folder button present at the bottom of the window.
- After that, inside the Browse for Folder window, go to the following path:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows
Note: In the above path, replace the <username> with your username. That means, after Users, navigate to the username you have logged on to.
- Next, at the above location, you will see a folder named INetCache; simply select it.\ and press the OK button.
- Finally, close all the dialog windows and reboot your PC. On the next startup, you should not see the same error in Word or other Office apps.
6] Reregister Word files
To fix this problem, simply press Windows Key + R combination to bring up Run dialog. Type following and hit Enter:
winword.exe /r
In the above command, the /r part forces a re-register of Word in Windows Registry configuration and thus eventually fixes up the issue. If this fix does not work, you can try the alternative:
7] Registry Fix
1. Press Windows Key + R combination, type put Regedt32.exe in Run dialog box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
3. In the right pane of this location, look for the AppData named string and carefully observe its Value data. The Value data for this string, if it has been changed, it is enough capable to generate the issues regarding the environment variable. So restore its default Value data to this:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming
Click OK after inputting the Value data. You may now close the Registry Editor and reboot the machine. After reboot, start using Word again, and you observe that the issue has been fixed already.
Related: Outlook could not create the work file, Check the temp environment variable.
How do I fix Word cannot create work file?
There are two things you can do to fix this issue. First, you can reregister all the Word files on your computer. Second, you can use the Registry Editor method mentioned in the aforementioned guide. Whether you get this error in an older or the newest version of Office, you can use these fixes to get rid of this problem.
How do you fix Word cannot save or create this file?
If Word cannot save or create a file in Windows 11/10, you must check the permission of your account. If your account doesn’t have the permission to create a new file or save an existing one, you might get this error with Word.
Hope this helps!
NOTE: Also read bella’s comment below.
I am having the same problem. worked fine for a very long time all of the sudden I cant attach word files. the box appears with “word could not create the work file. Check temp environment variable.” I have used your advice a few times over and it all is correct. This is very frustrating as I have some papers due by the weekend any information to help me fix this problem in more depth would be greatly appreciated.
Michael M.
^^ Thanks for feedback :)
Will the winword.exe/r fix work for MS Word 2010? I’m not a technically advanced user.
PS: I’m running Windows 8.
^^ Yep.
I had tried above two option thereafter also I am getting same message
“Word could not create a work file. Check the Temp Environment Variable”
Please tell me any other way for resolving the same issue.
Thanks for the solution! Is there anything we could do that can prevent this from happening? I’d rather know what’s the cause of it, than to panic and look for solution after it happens.
^^ Most probably it happens due to registry modification, when you install some third-party tools on your system. So basically, avoiding usage of third-party tools may help you to prevent getting around this issue :)
It says widows cannot find “winword.exe/r” what to do?? :(
Tank you,
You are genius! I checked the”regedt.exe” and all was O.K.
but I confirmed it once more time and after restart the machine it was fixed. Congratulations
and many tanks from me!
^^ Glad we could help :) Good day!
Hi, Mr. Arya,
You are not only genius; you are very gentle because of your
response.
If you post your congratulations here in Spain, traditionally
you wouldn’t expect a response!
Thank you once more time and sorry about the mistake in “tank”. I know what is tank, but was thank and many thanks not many tanks – really it’s ridiculous but I am Spanish, ha, ha…
Subject: Re: New comment posted on Fix: Word Could Not Create Work File. Check The Temp Environment Variable Error
Very good and thorough advice, thank you. Helped me with Word2013 after temp directory transfer from a virtual RAM drive back to the system drive (which, I believe, caused the problem).
still not working…………. i need help SOS please..
still cannot work, I have tried solution 1 & 2. the reg value data string are all correct, but still pops up the word window, repeated the same problem/ word 2010/ win 8.0
those who are unable to fix this with Kapil’ way. you can try this
just the same instruction but click on the cache button instead of app data.
then type %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet Files
Good Luck.
^^ Thanks for the inputs :)
Thank you very very much..! It worked!
Thank you Bella your fix worked all other fixes did nothing – thank you again!
why,it didnt work inmy laptop
This is how I fixed it:
1. winword /r ==> doesn’t work
2. regedit ==> AppData already set to the correct directory
3. Check Cache location under the same registry item, sees that Temporary Internet Files folder for IE is pointing to an invalid directory (a drive that is no longer there).
4. Open up IE, move temp folder to somewhere valid. It will log you out and you need to log back in
5. Confirm Word is now working fine
So, for some reason, Word is using IE’s “Temporary Internet Files” folder for storing (some of) its temp files. So if you see this message complaining about temp files cannot be created, check the IE temp folder as well!
Thanks mate!!! That works :D
When I went to Registry Editor and clicked on current user, only the default one comes up. Nothing else is there. What do I need to do next?
Thanks this works i guest the virtual cache change the value :3
Thanks it worked. The Temporary Internet Files didn’t exists. Instead I have created temp folder there and changed last piece of the path to that temp. It works
not helped me this dude….. i have been tried this but still the same problem is coming
Stupid Microsoft – hate them
Thank you bella, this fixed my problem.
Thanks administrator you are good at you job.
If, after trying the other steps explained, it still pops up with that message, try to
1: Click the start button/windows button
2: Type “%TEMP%” in the search field ( without the quotation marks)
3: Open the folder
4: Select all (CTRL+A)
5: Press Shift+DEL to permanently delete all your temporary files.
Try it now.
dude…bella..u r awesome…ur fix worked..none other did..thanx a ton
I’ve just found a solution if this is still causing issues for some. I checked the security permissions on the userprofile folder C:UsersUSERNAME and found that the user had no specific permissions to their own folder any longer. I added their user account back in and gave them ‘Full Control’ permissions. This fixed the issue for a user in my corporate environment.
Hope this helps!
Gavin.
Hey had same issue for a while now. Nothing worked until this fix. Thanks for the help.
Try everything,still not working.
o thanks dear… it worked after so much head fucking trouble shooting and suddenly got fine on windows office 2013 word
This worked for me! I had tried everything else as well to no avail. The odd thing is that I had a slight idea what caused it… me having a ramdrive and having changed temporary over to there a good while back. However, I had changed it everywhere possible that ‘should’ have changed the registry entry. Everything works now though : )
super late, but you just forgot to put a space before “/r”.
I recently had this problem on my Win 10 computer with Word 2007. The first answer didn’t work and the second didn’t apply. Clearing the temporary files didn’t work for me either!
I checked the cache data field as bella suggested and it showed:
%System Root%Temporary Internet Files
Changing this to the string she suggested, worked a treat!!
Thanks bella you’re a godsend!
Same here. Nothing has worked.
After 5 hrs the issue could now be solved. The App data value was set but when i tried input Cache data value, it didn’t work then also. Checked the exact path and found that Temporary Internet Files shortcut was there instead of the actual folder. Created a folder with Temporary Internet Files name and it worked. Finally.
Was frustrated with 2 issues in parallel, one was this and the other one that word wont let me save the file. PPT will be saved but no word files. Finally found a solution somewhere for it, about going to File->Options-> Addins and removed the active add ins and then made it worked. Full 5 hrs spend on the same. Relieved now. Back to work.
I’m having the same problem right now, and from what I can see so are lots of other people. Frankly if I could get Lightroom and Photoshop on Linux I’d bin it all together!
In O365, I found that going to Default program setting , select Word. The check the Select All box. This will include the O365 protocol. After following all the steps in the article with no luck in getting rid of the error, this one did the trick.
I followed your instructions above. For #1 and #2. Number #2 gave me the best result. While I was viewing the string value for “AppData”, which was correct, I also checked other string data. I had moved the “Temporary Internet Files” to a drive I no longer had plugged in. I reset it and now everything works perfectly.
For me the Cache registry was set to a invalid location. I change it to my new temp folder and it works like normal again. I would recommend taking a second and looking at the other registry locations there and you might see a bad file location on one of your registry and that would be the culprit.
I too had this issue… the only way I could fix it was by uninstalling my office 365 (32 bit) and reinstalling office 365 (64 bit). it worked for me!
Three years on Bella, you (and Kapil) have saved my day :-)
I had this problem twelve months ago, and used the information here to solve the problem:
>I recently had this problem on my Win 10 computer with Word 2007. The
first answer didn’t work and the second didn’t apply. Clearing the
temporary files didn’t work for me either!
I checked the cache data field as Bella suggested and it showed:
%System Root%Temporary Internet Files
Changing this to the string she suggested, worked a treat!!
Thanks bella you’re a godsend!<
Well it happened again, so I followed the instructions, and nothing worked…untilI I followed Bella's hint!
Bingo! My M$ Word program is working again, many more thanks Bella :-)
Perfect, Bella, thanks (and you too, Kapil)
It was certainly helpful. I got to fix my MS Word Problem, without the help of any technical person and that too with the first method. It was easy and very fast.
Thank you a lot … !!! It worked….
Thanks..! It worked!
Thank you bella. Your method worked like a charm.
Thanks You ! Really, it finally worked !
Hi everyone. Really old post, but maybe there will be those like me who encounter this problem. I tried all the fixes listed above and in the comments but none worked. I downloaded CCleaner to clean my registry and found that I had over 200 errors. After fixing all those, I no longer get the temp file error. Hope this helps someone out. :)
Thank you friend. you are a saviour. It worked for me.
Check that you aren’t out of hard drive space. That’s what generated our error msg.
Hey, folks, it still works! No surprise that Microsoft haven’t fixed whatever fault is in their software that enables this fault. Really, we should be able to take out a class action against them under consumer legislation (at least, in Oz). They charge top dollar for a product that is often not fit for purpose! Anyway, thanks to Bella and Kapil.