SharePoint: The operating system is not presently configured to run this application

This post describes the problem with creating library Word (Office) document from template that happens in some SharePoint system configurations, and proposes the solution that was confirmed to work for me.

The problem: user can’t create SharePoint library document from template

When user wants to create new library item from a document template (even the default one), external Office application is launched, but only on a first attempts. On the second or further attempts, user receives the following error: The operating system is not presently configured to run this application. When user clicks OK, another error message is displayed and external application (e.g. Microsoft Word) is not launched.

When page is opened in another tab or browser window, application can be launched again, but still only one time on a page.

The error is probably related to Office 2013 installations, and internet search shows that similar issues took place in both SharePoint 2010 and SharePoint 2013 installations.

The solution: registry hack needed

I found the solution in the Office Dev Center forums answer by HAN_1231. Since it’s currently really hard to find, and I don’t trust forums’ permalinks, here’s my restatement of the solution, accompanied by some screenshots.

The problem is related to Office 2013 and is caused by English-US locale value being hardcoded in registry key:

The solution is to add the copy of a registry MultiString value with the key containing your locale number and same value as in the 1033-locale entry. I’m not sure if the locale key missing is for the language of Office (probably), SharePoint site’s, or other on a server, but I guess as a developer you will have some clue what language’s locale might need to be added, and if you add two or three nothing wrong will happen too.

The following figure presents registry editor window with the additional key added for polish language locale (with number 1045 assigned by Microsoft).

Good luck with your project, thanks to HAN_1231 for sharing and enjoy your hours you saved on debugging this 🙂