How to Open .DOCX Files

Is your computer running an outdated version of Word that can’t open .docx files? The .docx format is associated with Word 2007, so older versions may not support it. Fortunately, converting these files to another format is fairly simple. Below are the steps to convert a Word document from .DOCX to .DOC format.

Download the Compatibility Pack from Microsoft. This pack allows older versions of Word to open .docx files. To download it, visit the Office section of the Microsoft Download Center. This pack is widely used by many people.

• The pack is free to download, but make sure you only download it from Microsoft's official site.

Run the installation file. Once the upgrade package is downloaded, launch the FileFormatConverters.exe file. This will update the Office settings on your computer, enabling you to open .docx files.

Open the file. After installing the upgrade pack, you will be able to open .docx files just like any other document. Double-click the file to open it, or right-click and select "open" to open the file in Word.

Download conversion software or use an online conversion tool. There are many programs and tools available online that can easily convert your files into the standard .DOC format. Some popular online file conversion tools include:

• Zamzar
• Investintech
• Free File Converter

Upload your file to the conversion website. Most online conversion websites require you to upload your file for conversion. While many of these sites have strong security measures in place, if you're concerned about privacy, you may want to avoid this method.

Download the converted file to your computer. You may need to wait a while for your file to finish converting. Depending on the conversion website, you might receive the file via email or be provided with a direct download link. If you're using a conversion program, the files will be saved in the folder you designated for converted documents.

Open Google Drive. Google Drive will convert your document into Google’s format, allowing you to open the file. From there, you can either download it in another format or edit it directly in Drive. You’ll need a Google account, which is completely free.

Upload your file to Google Drive. Click the red Upload button next to the Create button in the upper left corner of the page. The Upload button looks like an upward arrow with a horizontal line beneath it.

• A file browser will open, letting you search for files on your computer.

Convert. After selecting your file, a window will pop up asking you to configure upload settings. Be sure to check the "Convert documents ..." option, as this will convert your .docx file into Google Docs format, allowing you to edit your document in Drive.

• If you don’t select to convert the file, you’ll still be able to view the document in Drive, but you won’t be able to edit it.

Open the file. Your file will be added to your My Drive folder, which you can access from the menu at the top-left of the Drive page. Click on the file to open it in either view or edit mode, depending on whether you chose to convert it.

Check the converted file. During the conversion process, your file may have been switched to other commonly used formats, so you should verify that the file was converted to the desired format.

Download the converted file in a format similar to other formats. You can download the converted file to your computer in formats like .PDF or .RTF. Go to File → Download As → and choose the format you want. The file will be downloaded just like any other file.

• Any previously set formatting, like right-to-left text or different font styles, will usually remain unchanged.

Open ONLYOFFICE. This is a free service, and you can sign up using social media or email accounts.

Upload a .docx file from your computer to the website by clicking "Upload" in the top left corner, next to the "Create" button. ONLYOFFICE can directly handle .docx format, so you don’t need to convert the file.

• A file browser will pop up, allowing you to search for the file on your computer.

Open the file. Your file will be saved in the My Documents folder. Go to the left menu on your personal ONLYOFFICE page to access My Documents. Click the file you want to edit to open it in a new window.

Edit the document. ONLYOFFICE has an interface similar to Microsoft Office, making it easy for those who are familiar with Microsoft’s tools.

Download the file in any format: PDF, TXT, DOCX, ODT, HTML. Click the "File" icon in the left menu and select "Download as." The file will be downloaded to your computer just like any other file.