Solution to Microsoft Word error “Word experienced an error when trying to open the file”

I noticed once when opening a downloaded file in Microsoft Word format the following error:

Word experienced an error trying to open the file. Try these suggestions.
* Check the file permissions for the document or drive.
* Make sure there is sufficient free memory and disk space.
* Open the file with the Text Recovery converter.

Since the file was downloaded from the Internet or received by email for example, its opening is blocked in order to protect itself from possible unsafe elements inside the file.

To open it, click the right mouse button on the file, select “Properties”, then remove the check mark or click the “Unlock” button and click “OK”.
After that, the file will open.

To disable this kind of protection (that is, to open all files, which is not particularly safe), open Microsoft Word (similarly, you can disable protection in Microsoft Excel), then open the File – Options menu, select Security Control Center, then “Security Control Center Settings …” – “Protected View” and uncheck three consecutive checkboxes, the description of which begins with “Enable Protected View for …”. Upon completion, click “OK” in the windows.

Done.

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