Microsoft Word does not start after an update
Problem
After installing a Microsoft Office update from the “Current (Preview)” update channel, Microsoft Word crashes when the Citavi Word Add-In is activated.
Currently, the following versions seem to be affected. The version is displayed in Word under File > Account.
July 22, 2024 - Version 2407 (Build 17830.20094)
July 18, 2024 - Version 2407 (Build 17830.20084)
(see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-current-channel-preview)
Solution
The issue does no longer occur with Version 2407 (Build 17830.20118) from July 30, 2024. Please try updating to this version first before you follow any of the procedures mentioned below.
The cause is a bug in the current Word update from the “Current (Preview)” update channel. This is a public beta version. Microsoft sometimes also refers to this channel as “Insider”.
To fix the bug, return to the stable release version from the “Current” update channel.
For an individual installation, please follow the steps described by Microsoft here to leave the “Insider Program”: https://insider.microsoft365.com/de-de/handbook#Opt-out-or-change-channels
You can force a downgrade of Microsoft Word to version 2406 (Build 17726.20160) via the Windows command line:
1. close all Office applications.
2. search for cmd in the taskbar or Start menu, right-click on the Command Prompt entry and select “Run as administrator”.
3. paste the following text (including the quotation marks) in the window that appears and press Enter: “C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe” /update user updatetoversion=16.0.17726.20160
4. Once the installation is complete, please perform a repair installation of Citavi as described below.
If you are using an installation that is managed by your institution, please contact your IT administrator to change the update channel. Microsoft provides further information on the procedure here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-apps/updates/change-update-channels
If the installation does not automatically revert to the release version 2406 (Build 17726.20160) from July 9 (see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/current-channel), it may be necessary to uninstall and then reinstall Microsoft Office.
After the regular version of Microsoft Word is installed again, please perform a repair installation of Citavi: https://www1.citavi.com/sub/manual6/de/index.html?repairing_installation.html
