Word 97 offers it also. In fact, it's a rather elementary feature of Windows. I'll give a step-by-step instruction because this isn't something everyday.
Note I did this on a Windows 95 computer. Details may be different with another version of the OS. But I don't expect differences so big that you can't figure it out.
1. Go to the File Types screen. I always use Windows Explorer (Tools>Folder Options), but it seems other people always find it from My Computer.
2. Page down to Microsoft Word document (.doc). Click Edit.
3. You'll see the defined actions Print, Open (bold = default = done on doubleclick) and New. I also have printto. I don't know what it does, but I've learned to keep my hands of things I don't know about.
4. Select Open, choose Edit
5. Copy the Application box (with me, it's "C:\PROGRAM FILES\OFFIC97\OFFICE\WINWORD.EXE" /n, but it will vary depending on where you installed the program.
6. Cancel to go back to the previous screen, choose New
7. Select a good name for your new action (something like Open in new window. If you want to be able to use a letter to activate it (I never do, always use the mouse in the right click menu) put an & before that letter, but take care that it is unique in the whole right click menu for Word documents. Something like Open in new &Window might work, if there's no other W being used.
8. In the application box right below, copy from the clipboard what you put on it in step 5. That's easier than browsing.
9. The trick: replace /n with "%1" (including the quotes. Don't check the Use DDE-checkbox. Choose OK (3 times to return to Explorer).
10. Now right click on a Word document. You'll see your new action listed. Try it to see it works.
11. The finishing touch. Return to the File Types screen and reselect Microsoft Word document. Then select your new action and choose Set Default. Now it's the default action if you doubleclick a Word document, but you can still choose the old one from the right click menu.
Hope this helps.
Kees