Excel files don’t open, instead an empty Excel screen opens

If you can use the File -> Open menu to open a file, but double clicking and opening the file from a folder never actually loads the file.

Open a file through the file menu and go to Tools, Options, General and uncheck the box for Ignore Other Applications. Click OK and close excel, then try again.

Sources

• http://www.excelforum.com/excel-general/379022-double-clicking-xls-file-opens-excel-but-doesnt-open-the-file.html