While Excel 2013 continues to lockup if I click on a shortcut to an xlsx file or the file itself (only way to close Excel after that is to log out and back in, Task Manager won't even close it), I find that if I open Excel in a window, then drag & drop the file or shortcut into that window, it opens the file fine. Does this shed any light on it to you gurus out there?

BTW, I have done complete (and LONG) MSE and Malewarebyte scans and found no malware. All other Office Pro 2013 apps seem to be fine. I know I will eventually uninstall everything and start over, but right now I need access to some files and can't risk being several days withput them.

Thanx.