Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

Edit: Split from OpenOffice launches but clicking on anything causes freeze because that 2018 topic is for OpenOffice 4.1.5 on MacOS and your problem is for OpenOffice 4.1.15 on Windows. Please do not post in another's topic unless you are helping to solve their problem for them. -- MrProgrammer, forum moderator

also happening in Windows 11
I uninstalled and reinstalled from new download. no change.

Reset your user profile. Click here for help how to do that.

floris v:
Thank you very much for your effort, but that did not solve my issue. Still get the spinning wheel upon launch of open office. Cannot edit my files.

Not the expected hint but try LibreOffice.
See [Tutorial] Considering a Switch from OpenOffice to LibreOffice? Some Useful Information.

Now I've downloaded LibreOffice 7.5 and the first time I launched it I get the spinning wheel. Is there any way I'm going to be able to edit my open office files?

Even if you launch AOO/LO from the Windows menu, that is without trying to open a file?
If yes, then there is a problem with your system, maybe a security application that is preventing the applications to launch. Add them to the whitelist.
If not, then your files have a problem. You can upload it one somewhere so that we try if there is no sensitive data.

To me it sounds like an anti-virus app getting in the way. Try adding an exclusion for LibreOffice (and/or OpenOffice) in Windows and see if that helps. Quick instructions on how to do this here: Add an exclusion to Windows Security

More detailed instructions here: Add or Remove Exclusions for Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 11

And for some third party anti-virus apps here: How to add File or Folder to Antivirus Exception List in Windows 11