Microsoft Excel is Trying to Recover Your Information Error

7 expert-tested solutions to fix your Excel

2 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Microsoft Excel is part of Microsoft 365 business-oriented programs and acts as the default spreadsheet of the suite.

However, like all other files created by any of the programs belonging to the suite, it too can encounter the occasional error.

What does this error message say?

Such would be the case with some users that have been reporting a constant error inMicrosoft Excel.

I have upgraded to office 2016 and I constantly get theerror messageMicrosoft Word / Excel is trying to recover your informationNow, everything does work. I can open the documents and they are fine, but theseerror messageskeep coming up.It also comes up when just browsing files in file explorer. If I want to just select a file to move it this message comes up and then goes after a few seconds. But it happens on EVERY document I click on and is really annoying.

Read on to find out how to fix your Excel files and get them working properly again.

How can I get rid of the information recovery error in Excel?

First of all, check whether this is a general occurrence, or if it just happens when you try opening a particular file. If you observe that this is a general issue, consider doing one of the following solutions.

Updating your antivirus software varies based on what antivirus you use. Additionally, try to shut down the antivirus and see ifMicrosoft Excelhas any issues then.

Please check the manufacturer’s website for more details on how to update or shut down your antivirus software.

While no explanation exists as to why this happens, it seems that many users found disabling thePreview Paneuseful in getting rid of thiserror message.

PressWindows+E.
Go to theViewtab
Click onPreview Paneto disable it.

You must first make sure you are signed in as an administrator:

Press theWindowskey to open the search box.
Type inMSConfig.
SelectSystem Configuration.
Go to theServicestab of the System Configuration dialog box.
Click to select theHide all Microsoft servicescheck box.
ClickDisable all.
Go to theStartuptab of the System Configuration dialog box.
ClickOpen Task Manager.

9.Disable allitems on the list.

CloseTask Manager.
ClickOKto confirm all changes.

12.Restartthe PC.

OpenMicrosoft Excel.
Click onFile.
SelectAccount.
ClickUpdate Options.
ClickUpdate Now.
Let the updatesrun their course.

While this may seem simple enough, you need to make sure your PC meets the minimum system requirements to runMicrosoft Excel.

This is especially the case when you have a dated PC and a version ofMicrosoft Excelthat is relatively new.

Press theWindowskey on your keyboard.
SelectSettings(The cogwheel-shaped button in the start menu).
SelectUpdates & Security.
Click onCheck for Updates.
Let the updatesrun their course.

6.Restartthe PC.

Open theExcelsheet.
Go to theFile menu.
Click onOptions.
Click onAdd-ins.
SelectExceladd-ins and click on theGobutton.

6.Uncheckall boxes and clickOK.

Do you also receive an error stating that MicrosoftExcelis trying to recover your information? Did you try a solution not mentioned in this list that worked?

Let us know in the comments section below if our article helped you get rid of this error on your device.

Microsoft Excel is Trying to Recover Your Information Error#

What does this error message say?#

How can I get rid of the information recovery error in Excel?#

Microsoft Excel is Trying to Recover Your Information Error

What does this error message say?

How can I get rid of the information recovery error in Excel?