Word could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable

Issue

Every time Microsoft Word is opened, the following message pops up:

Word could not create the work file. Check the tempWord could not create the work file. Check the temp environment variable.

Resolution

• Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe) and navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
• Open string Cache and set its value to: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache

The issue was caused by the above value set to a hardcoded path that was pointing to other user’s profile. No idea how this happened…

March 2020
Microsoft Office 365