Command-line switches: Can't open Word by clicking on documents

Using Windows 7 64-bit.

When I click a Word document in Explorer or on the Start menu, I get the error "There was a problem sending the command to the program". I'm using Word 2003, but I don't get this problem with Excel 2003.

I know that when I try to open a document this way, the program uses the command switches "/n" -- which means "open a new instance of Word", -- and "/dde" -- which I don't know what it means. I do know that I don't want the /n switch.

1) How can I remove the /n switch? Remember, I'm not clicking on a shortcut, but on a document icon. I know how to assign the "Open With" command, but I don't see any options about changing command-line switches.

2) Is the /dde switch causing my problem? How do I remove it?

What happens if you right click on Word, choose properties and then set it to "run in compatibility with Vista"?

Hmm I can't reproduce this with 32 bit and Office 2007. There might be a bug. Have you reported this to Microsoft Yet?

Compatibility mode doesn't seem to make a difference.

I don't know how to report things to Microsoft. Can you tell me how?

This doesn't happen with Excel 2003, or with any version of Office 2007. I'm sure this has something to do with how I associated .doc files to Word 2003: I'm guessing that it added the switches, and they're causing the problem. I wish I knew how to change the switches. I also wish I knew what the /dde switch does.

The easiest way to get in touch with Microsoft is through the support pages:

Office:http://support.microsoft.com/ph/11377#tab0. This goes to 2007, but you can navigate to actually getting in touch with people from there.

Since Windows 7 is still pre-release, you can't really get any tech support for right now that's OS-specific.

To be honest, Ron, I found the Microsoft support site confusing and unhelpful. I tried searching for "file association" and "Dde command-line switch" and didn't get anything that helped me. In fact, I can't find evidence that there is such a switch as /dde, let alone what it does.

(I'm curious: do you folks at Microsoft ever use the Help and Support site yourselves? I think you'd find it illustrative. How do you get help with Windows problems?)

Edited by shawnvw, 21 June 2009 - 12:37 PM.

We actually do use the help sites for the most part before actually talking with tech support. I'll keep looking for a fix for you and will check back soon.

Cheers,

Hi guys,

I have the same setup but am having problems with Excel 2007. All other office programs are fine. this problem actually started when my machine was Vista but I hoped an upgrade would fix it. I've tried re-installing and check file associatons to no avail.

T