Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: Office 2013 on Windows 8.1 gives out of memory error when opening files

Office 2013 on Windows 8.1 gives out of memory error when opening files

Quick Answer: Try disabling Protected View for files from the internet, outlook attachments and potentially unsafe locations.

Office 2013 on Windows 8.1 is experiencing an error when opening files, resulting in an 'Out of Memory' error message. This issue affects users who open files from the internet or Outlook attachments, causing the program to crash. The problem is not isolated to a single computer, as four different computers are affected.

This error can be frustrating for users, especially when they need to preview files without having to download them first. In this guide, we will explore the root causes of this issue and provide two potential solutions to resolve the 'Out of Memory' error.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that Office 2013 on Windows 8.1 has a limitation in handling large files from the internet or Outlook attachments, which can cause the program to run out of memory. This limitation is due to the way these programs handle file attachments and previews.
  • Another possible alternative reason could be related to corrupted system files or registry entries that may interfere with Office 2013's ability to handle file attachments and previews.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Disable Protected View for Files from the Internet

  1. Step 1: To disable Protected View for files from the internet, follow these steps: Open Excel and go to File > Options > Trust Center. In the Trust Center window, click on the 'Trust center settings' button at the bottom right corner. Click on the 'Trusted Sources' tab and then click on the 'File location' dropdown menu and select 'Local sites in trusted zones'.

Use Protected View with a Specific Folder

  1. Step 1: To use Protected View with a specific folder, follow these steps: Open Excel and go to File > Options > Trust Center. In the Trust Center window, click on the 'Trust center settings' button at the bottom right corner. Click on the 'Trusted Sources' tab and then click on the 'File location' dropdown menu and select 'Specific locations or folders'. Create a new folder in your documents directory (e.g., C: older) and add files from that folder to Excel. Then, go back to the Trust Center settings and enable Protected View for the specific folder.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the 'Out of Memory' error when opening files in Office 2013 on Windows 8.1, you can try disabling Protected View for files from the internet or using Protected View with a specific folder. By following these steps, you should be able to open files without experiencing the 'Out of Memory' error.

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