Forum Discussion
Link doesn't work
We have recently started experiencing an issue when opening links within Excel on Azure Virtual Desktop. Our AVD environment is currently running the Version 2601, but the behaviour is very inconsistent, only a couple of users are affected, and the issue appears completely random. Interestingly, it works fine for most users both inside AVD and outside AVD.
Affected users are receiving the following error message (screenshot below).
So far, I have tried the following without success:
- Clearing the Excel cache
- Deleting the Excel container from the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel
Is anyone else experiencing the same issue, or aware of a fix/workaround?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Microsoft has confirmed as a known issue and it is being treated as a regression awaiting an engineering update. Today, one of the laptop has got latest Version 2602 Build 16.0.19725.20078 where links are working fine otherwise I ran Online Repair Office which works as well.
4 Replies
Microsoft has confirmed as a known issue and it is being treated as a regression awaiting an engineering update. Today, one of the laptop has got latest Version 2602 Build 16.0.19725.20078 where links are working fine otherwise I ran Online Repair Office which works as well.
You say "it works fine for most users both inside AVD and outside AVD" but the question is 'does it work outside AVD for the users for which it does NOT work inside AVD?' To me it seems like a permissions issue with the path to the file. I would also make sure all the users have the same rights in AVD.
Its not a link issue because the same links for me when I access the file within AVD and even outside AVD. Strangely, the same file and same links doesn't work for couple of users.
The error message shows Excel trying to open a file:/// link to a UNC path with URL-encoded spaces:
file:///\\G...\Year%20end%20pack%202024.xlsx%23API!A1
This is almost always a link parsing issue, not a missing file.
This strongly suggests a profile-specific Office/URL handler issue, not a global Excel or server problem.
Most Likely Cause
Excel 365 (newer builds like 2601) sometimes mishandles:
- URL-encoded file paths
- file:/// UNC format links
- FSLogix-mounted profile redirections
Especially when the hyperlink includes a cell reference (#API!A1).
Workarounds/Fix
Recreate the Hyperlink
From:
file:///\\Server\Share\Folder\Year%20end%20pack%202024.xlsx#API!A1
to:
\\Server\Share\Folder\Year end pack 2024.xlsx#API!A1
Or recreate using:
Right-click → Link → Existing File → browse to file
Do NOT paste a file:/// URL.
If this fixes it → your issue is URL encoding handling in that build.
If You Want a Permanent Technical Solution
If these are auto-generated links (SharePoint, scripts, etc.), modify them so they:
Don’t use:
file:///\\server\share\file.xlsx
Use:
\\server\share\file.xlsx
In the End, in AVD environments on 2601, the most consistent fix I've seen is:
Online Repair Office + disable Office file sync integration.
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
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