I create a file in Word and save it. When I try to open it from Word I can open it but if I try to email it to myself and open it OR if I go to the folder where I saved the file and try to open it from there I get an error message "Windows cannot find (name of file.docx). Make sure you typed the name correctly then try again. I also cannot open Word files that other people email to me. I get the same error message. HELP.

Are you saying that you can open the files only if you start Word first? In that case, try the instructions at http://www.gmayor.com/document_not_found.htm to restore the file associations, even if you aren't seeing exactly those error messages that the article mentions.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

No, even if Word is open I can't open them. If I open Word and the file is still listed in the history of 'recent documents' then I can open them from Word but if it is old enough to no longer be listed there then I can't open them from the folder where I saved them. I also cannot open Word files that someone emails to me. I can email my saved file to myself and open it on another computer but cannot on this computer.

So navigating to a file in the Open dialog box from within Word doesn't work? Strange.

Have you tried repairing the Office installation, by starting setup from Control Panel?

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

I don't know what you mean by repairing it in control panel. However, I may not be explaining the problem correctly.
I can open a Word document I've recently worked on if I am in Word and go to OPEN and the file is still listed in the 'history' of recent document files.
But, if I worked on the file a month or so ago, and it's no longer listed in the 'history' of recent document files, and I to go to the folder where I saved the file and click to open it I get a message:

X Windows cannot find 'C:\users\owner\desktop\beth's files\beths office files\dons letter.docx'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

It doesn't matter whether I've already got Word open or not. Also, when someone emails a Word file to me I get the same message.

Strange behavior may be caused by a damaged Word/Office installation, which is why I suggested that you should try repairing Office. You do that by starting Office setup in Control Panel (Programs and Features) and choose to change the installation; then select the repair option.

Another possibility is that something is wrong with the access rights to folders in Windows.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional