Cannot open Word, Excel, PowerPoint files from OneDrive for Business on Windows

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Step-by-Step

This seems to be caused by OneDrive for Business never completing the syncing process. The steps noted below walk you through stopping the synchronization process, placing the files in a place for safe keeping, reinstalling OneDrive for Business and allowing the synchronization to complete.

  1. Right-click the blue cloud icon in the system tray then click Pause syncing. 
  2. Right-click the blue cloud icon in the system tray then click Exit.
  3. Uninstall OneDrive for business.
  4. Be sure all Windows and Microsoft critical updates have been run.
  5. Restart your computer, if updates were performed.
  6. You should be able to use One Drive for Business via the Web interface.
  7. Rename the old One Drive for Business folders (They are located at: C:\Users\%UserName%\) so that they won't interfere when you install OneDrive for Business again and they will be safe. After you are sure that the OneDrive for business synchronization has taken place properly, you can delete these files.
  8. Reinstall OneDrive for Business:
    1. Access OneDrive for business through the web interface.
    2. Click the Sync button.
    3. When prompted, install OneDrive for business.
  9. Wait until the little blue cloud in the system tray indicates that synching is complete.
  10. Once synching is complete, you should be able to open up a file created with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.
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