"Windows cannot open this file" error message when you double-click a PowerPoint presentation file (327976)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
This article was previously published under Q327976

SYMPTOMS

You may notice the following symptom in Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2003 or in Microsoft PowerPoint 2002. When you double-click a PowerPoint presentation (.ppt) file, PowerPoint does not start, and you may receive the following error message:
Windows cannot open this file.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if the file association between presentation files and PowerPoint has been broken.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Restore the File Association

  1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the File Types tab.
  3. In the Registered file types list, click PPT, and then click Change.
  4. Click Microsoft PowerPoint, and then click OK.

    NOTE: If Microsoft PowerPoint is not in the list, click Browse, locate and then double-click C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10, click Powerpnt.exe, and then click Open.
  5. Click OK, and then click Close.

Method 2: Repair Your Office XP Installation

  1. Start PowerPoint.
  2. On the Help menu, click Detect and Repair, and then click Start.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, follow these steps:
  1. Start PowerPoint.
  2. On the File menu, click Open.
  3. Locate and then click the file that you want to open, and then click Open.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:2/3/2006
Keywords:kbopenfile kberrmsg kbprb KB327976 kbAudEndUser
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