cannot open the files that i have saved in the microsot word

The correct fix depends on whether only particular documents fail or Word cannot open any document, so test the matching case below.

If only one or a few files will not open

Use Word’s built-in recovery command:

1. Open Word without opening the document.
2. Select File > Open > Browse.
3. Select the affected file once.
4. Select the arrow beside Open, then choose Open and Repair. Do not select the file from the Recent list. ^1^
5. If it opens, immediately save a new copy with File > Save As.

If recovery fails, try extracting its contents:

1. Select File > New > Blank Document.
2. Select Insert > Object > Text from File.
3. Choose the affected document and select Insert. ^2^

If the file was saved to OneDrive, sign in to OneDrive in a browser, locate the document, and download another copy. ^3^

If every Word file fails

Test Word without automatically loading add-ins and global templates:

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Enter:

      winword /a
   

3. Press Enter, then try opening a document from File > Open > Browse.

If documents open in this mode, the problem is associated with something Word normally loads, such as an add-in or global template. ^2^

If Word still cannot open files, repair Office:

• Windows 11: Right-click Start > Installed apps > Microsoft 365 or Office > … > Modify.
• Windows 10: Right-click Start > Apps and Features > Microsoft 365 or Office > Modify.
• For the common Click-to-Run installation, select Online Repair > Repair. This repairs the entire Office suite and is more comprehensive than Quick Repair. Restart Windows afterward. ^4^

If Word reports that the document is locked

First ensure nobody else has the document open. If it is not in use:

1. Close Word completely.
2. Open Task Manager and end any remaining Winword.exe processes.
3. In File Explorer, open the document’s folder.
4. Locate the temporary owner file whose name starts with ~$, such as ~$cument.docx.
5. Delete only that temporary owner file—not the real document—and reopen Word. ^5^

If these steps do not resolve it, provide the exact error message and state whether Word itself opens, whether a new blank document works, and whether the failure affects one file or every file.

References

1. Open a document after a file corruption error | Microsoft Support
2. How to troubleshoot problems that occur when you start or use Word | Microsoft Support
3. can't open a saved word document - Microsoft Q&A
4. Repair an Office application
5. "The document is locked for editing by another user" error message when you try to open a document in Word | Microsoft Support