Problem: Microsoft Word 2007 opens fine, but when I click “Save As,” the program locks up with hourglass and I have to end the process. How do I fix this?

Answer: You have encountered a common problem for Microsoft Word users. In fact this problem is not specific to Word 2007. You will see this happen in Word 2003 and Word 2000 as well. Also, this does not seem to be dependent on the operating system: I have seen this in Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. This problem is most frequently seen on computers that have power management functioning enabled. Keep in mind that, technically, the program hasn’t crashed. If you leave it sit long enough, you will eventually get your folder list and you will be able to save your work. It takes a very long time though; that’s why you think the program has crashed.

You could probably get very detailed while evaluating this issue, but most people just want to fix the problem, so here it is. To repair the Microsoft Word “Save As” crashes the program problem follow these steps:

  1. Close or end Microsoft Word
  2. Open Regedit. If you don’t know how to do this, you are scaring me and probably should not be using a computer. All you have to do is click “Start” then type “regedit” into the search box (Windows Vista). In XP click “Start” then “Run.” Type regedit into the box.
  3. In Regedit, browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Word\Data
  4. In the left panel, right click the “Data” folder and select “Delete”
  5. Confirm delete
  6. Open Microsoft Word. You should now be able to click “Save As” and the program will function normally (if there is ever anything “normal” about anything Microsoft).