Error "'Edit Document' requires a Windows SharePoint Services-compatible application"when you try to edit an Office document in a document library

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Install Office XP or a later version of Office

Install Office XP or a later version of Office. When you install Office, make sure that you install Microsoft SharePoint Support component.

Note The Microsoft SharePoint Support component is included in the Office Tools section.

Note In Office 2003 and later versions, the SharePoint Support component is named Windows SharePoint Services Support.

Method 2: Install SharePoint support

If Office XP or a later version is already installed on your computer, you can install the SharePoint support component without reinstalling Office. To do this, follow the steps for your version of Office.

Note Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

If Office XP is installed on the computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. In the list of currently installed programs, click Microsoft Office XP, and then click Change.
4. Click Add or Remove Features - Change which features are installed or remove specific features, and then click Next.
5. In the Features to install box, expand Office Tools, click the down arrow next to Microsoft SharePoint Support, and then click Run from My Computer.
6. Click Update.

If Office 2003 is installed on the computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. In the list of currently installed programs, click Microsoft Office 2003, and then click Change.
4. Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Next.
5. Click to select the Choose advanced customization of application check box, and then click Next.
6. In the Choose update options for applications and tools box, expand Office Tools, click the down arrow next to Windows SharePoint Services Support, and then click Run from My Computer.
7. Click Update.

If a 2007 Office suite is installed on the computer, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. In the list of currently installed programs, click Microsoft Office suite 2007, and then click Change.
4. Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Continue.
5. Expand Office Tools.
6. Click the down arrow next to Windows SharePoint Services Support, and then click Run from My Computer.
7. Click Continue.

Method 3: Register the Owssupp.dll file

To have us register the Owssupp.dll file for you, go to the "Fix it for me" section. If you prefer to fix this problem yourself, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.

Fix it for me

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix it button or link. In the File Download dialog box, click Run, and then follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

Fix this problem
Microsoft Fix it 50667

Notes

• The Fix it solution does not work if the Owssupp.dll file does not exist on your computer.
• This wizard may be in English only. However, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.
• If you are not on the computer that has the problem, save the Fix it solution to a flash drive or a CD and then run it on the computer that has the problem.

Let me fix it myself

Note For Office 2003 and the 2007 Office system an error occurs in step 4 and step 6. This error is benign and can be safely ignored if you see it. The error message is similar to the following: 

DllRegisterServer in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11OWSSUPP.DLL failed. Return code was: 0x80070716.

To fix the problem yourself, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type cmd, and then click OK.
3.   By default, the Owssupp.dll file is located in one the following folders, depending on your version of Office: 
   • If Office XP is installed on the computer: Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10
   • If Office 2003 is installed on the computer: Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11
   • If the 2007 Office system is installed on the computer: Drive:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12
4. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:
   regsvr32 -u owssupp.dll
5. Click OK when you receive the message that states that the operation was successful.
6. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:
   regsvr32 owssupp.dll
7. Click OK when you receive the message that states that the operation was successful.
8. Type exit to exit Command Prompt.
   

   Did this fix the problem?

   • Check whether the problem is fixed. If the problem is fixed, you are finished with this section. If the problem is not fixed, you can contact support.
   • We would appreciate your feedback. To provide feedback or to report any issues with this solution, please leave a comment on the "Fix it for me" blog or send us an email.

Method 4: Repair Office 2003 or the 2007 Office system

You may be able to resolve this issue by repairing Office. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3.  In the list of installed programs, click Microsoft Office 2003 or Microsoft Office 2007, and then click Change.
4. Click Reinstall or Repair.
5. Click OK. 

Reference: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833714