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General discussion

cannot open MS Word files with my Vista

Jun 26, 2007 12:06AM PDT

Hi everyone, please help a technophob that has just got a new Vista Home Premium computer. I just cannot open any files in MS Word format, nor can I save any files in doc format. It would regard them as internet files and simpy won't open. Do I need to download any special convertor or anything? And the files I can save in wwp cannot be opened on Windows XP. Are those systems not compatible?

Discussion is locked

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Do You Have Microsoft Word Installed?
Jun 26, 2007 12:41AM PDT

If not, then .doc files won't open... So, you have some options..
1. Install the Microsoft Office suite of programs...(Expensive)

2. Install the free "Word" viewer from the link below. (It only allows viewing and printing, NOT creating or editing of Word documents.) (Free)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=95E24C87-8732-48D5-8689-AB826E7B8FDF&displaylang=en

3. Install "OpenOffice" which allows you to open and work with .doc files. (Free)
http://www.openoffice.org/

Hope this helps.

Grif

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re-
Jun 29, 2007 12:44AM PDT

Thank you so much! I will try to install open office and see what happens! Wink

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MS Word vs MS Works
Jul 2, 2007 10:03PM PDT

Hi Grif,
I just wanted to double check. I have MS Works installed on my Vista Home Premium and in the file saving section I have an option to save as a doc. file but it simply doesn't do it. Does it mean that I need to install Ms Word separately? You recommended openoffice programme. Will I be able to compose and read doc. files then? It's a real pain that I can't send doc. files to other users.
Thank you very much.
Anna

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In addition
Jul 2, 2007 10:23PM PDT
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RE: MS Word vs MS Works...
Jul 3, 2007 2:41AM PDT

1.) You shouldn't have to have Word installed to save as .doc, but it can glitch from time to time. If it persists with any text document you try to save that way you may consider performing a repair installation of Works.

2.) Yes, OpenOffice is capable of creating and saving files using the Microsoft Office formats: .doc, .xls, and .ppt. I would also suggest giving ThinkFree a look. It's an internet-based productivity suite that's compatible with Microsoft Office, including the new Microsoft Office 2007 Open XML files, that's completely free of charge. It's not as powerful as OpenOffice, but it's a nice solution, particularly when you're on the road, as there's absolutely no software to install.

Hope this helps,
John