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After installing the KB5002914 update, my Excel 2016 stopped opening files with the .xls extension. The files are always detected as corrupted. This issue occurs on Build 16.5569.1006; however, when I try to open the same files on earlier builds such as 16.5555.1000, they open normally.
What can I do as a workaround?
I have already tried adjusting the Trust Center settings, enabling Compatibility Mode, and using other built-in Office recovery and compatibility features, but none of them resolved the issue. Could you please suggest any alternative workaround or temporary solution until the problem is fixed?
A family of Microsoft spreadsheet software with tools for analyzing, charting, and communicating data.
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What happens if you right-click an Excel file, select "Open with," and choose Excel?
If the "Open with" option doesn't appear, click on the file (so it is highlighted in blue), hold down the Ctrl key, and then right-click it.
In that case, if it lets you select Excel, you can choose to always use it for this type of file.