Error when opening Excel files through Windows Explorer

Whenever, I try double-clicking an Excel file in Windows Explorer, I get an error message that says "There was a problem sending the command to the program." I tried Microsoft's solution of unchecking the box under options that says "Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)" but it was already unchecked. I checked it and unchecked it and I'm still having the problem. This is using Excel 2013 with Windows 8.1 64-bit.

is the file association and defaults set correctly?

Are you logged in as adminstrator or as a user when opening excel files.

Checck or Uncheck Run as Administrator box on the Compatibility mode screen.

I have files of that type (.xlsx) to open with Excel.

I'm a user, but I believe I have administrator privileges. How do I access the compatibility mode screen? I thought that was found by right-clicking excel.exe and going to properties, but I can't find "compatibility mode" anywhere in that screen.

It appears that in windows 8.1 there is no compatibility mode anymore under properties, according to some posters in that thread.
Bu i have no office installed on my windows 8.1 so i can not check it.

Did you try to repair office 2013

Windows 8

• Press the Windows logo key + X to see a list of commands and options. (Basically a quick way to get to Programs and Features in Control Panel.)
• Click Programs and Features.
• Click the Office program you want to repair, and then click Change.
• Do one of the following:

• In Office 2010, click Repair > Continue.
• In Office 2013, click either Quick Repair or Online Repair.

Do you by change have installed Tuneup utility?


Found this also on answers.microsoft.com:

uninstalling tuneup utilities it solved my problem.so, if you have installed tuneup utilities or advanced system care or advanced system optimizer or any other similar tool then uninstall it , reboot computer and then try excel, it should solve your problem.
and after that you can reinstall them back again

Click to expand...

Thanks man! I have Office 2013 x64 and Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and REINSTALLING TuneUp Utilities 2013 SOLVES my problem within EXCEL.

Step 1) Uninstall TuneUp Utilities;
Step 2) Restart your PC;
Step 3) Start any of your EXCEL documents just to check if everything is ok;
Step 4) Install TuneUp Utilities all over again and EVERYTHING is PERFECT.

Click to expand...

lifetec said:

It appears that in windows 8.1 there is no compatibility mode anymore under properties, according to some posters in that thread.
Bu i have no office installed on my windows 8.1 so i can not check it.

Did you try to repair office 2013

Windows 8

• Press the Windows logo key + X to see a list of commands and options. (Basically a quick way to get to Programs and Features in Control Panel.)
• Click Programs and Features.
• Click the Office program you want to repair, and then click Change.
• Do one of the following:

• In Office 2010, click Repair > Continue.
• In Office 2013, click either Quick Repair or Online Repair.

Do you by change have installed Tuneup utility?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I do not have Tuneup utility installed. I also tried the steps you recommended, both the offline repair and the online repair, but I'm still having the same problem. It might be important to note that under "Programs and Features" Excel was not listed but only Office 365, and that is what I tried repairing.