I've searched threads but found no discussion ...

When I click on a Word (16) file in explorer, it does not preview, and I get an error "Temporary work file could not be created. Check the temp environment variable." If I click on that error message to close it, the file then previews in explorer.

Any ideas on how to resolve this annoying an apparently useless error message?

Thanks,
Reg

Close all applications and insert the following into the Windows Explorer address bar:
C:\Users\%Username%\AppData\Local\Temp
Delete all files/folders from that folder, leaving behind any Windows complains are still in use.

That should resolve the issue.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Well, it didn't fix it. I thought I was running Word 16, but apparently it's Word 365. Does that make a difference?

Thanks,
Reg

Word 2016 is a component of Office 365.

This is a bit of long shot, but you could try turning off the preview pane in File Explorer. After that, see if you can open Word documents without seeing an error message.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional