Old .doc documents won't open in Word for the web

Your screen shot, part of which I am repeating below, indicates that you are running Word on the web, that is, the web browser version:

Word on the web is limited in many ways. For one thing, it requires that you use the most recent file format for editing.

If you are paying for a 365 subscription, install the local versions of Office applications on your computer. See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-and-install-or-reinstall-microsoft-365-or-office-2021-on-a-pc-or-mac-4414eaaf-0478-48be-9c42-23adc4716658.

By default Word blocks the opening of old Word formats, which have security problems.

In Word, click on the File tab on the Ribbon, then choose Options (at the bottom of the blue sidebar):

In the Word Options dialog that opens, choose Trust Center>Trust Center Settings.

In the Trust Center dialog, choose File Block Settings.

Uncheck all the options that you are likely to use. OK out when you're done.

Retry opening your old Word files.

I spent a good deal of time at Best Buy with a Geek Squad fellow who showed me where the File/options are listed. I now know why I could not find options. It never shows up at the bottom of the list when I select File. Either 365 installed incorrectly or I am totally missing something. It showed up at BB but does not show up on my 365. I don't get it. I see Info, Share, Print, etc. That's it.

Use File>Open in Word and then click on Browse to navigate to the folder that contains the file(s) that you want to open.

Hi, thanks for responding. I have a ton of docx files and none of them are opening. I get a block that asks me what do i want to use to open them. I also DO NOT want any of my private documents stored in the cloud. i want all my docs stored on my personal tower computer. this is one of the forum suggestions i found today, but i can figure out where the File/Options function is that changes the Trust Center blocks are and where to change the default storage location. Very FRUSTRATING. I hate it when MS quits supporting a product that works perfectly. if it ain't broke don't fix it. Really dumb to block opening older docs. That's all I have and need!!!!

John Korchok

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Replied on March 18, 2024Report abuse

By default Word blocks the opening of old Word formats, which have security problems.

In Word, click on the File tab on the Ribbon, then choose Options (at the bottom of the blue sidebar):

In the Word Options dialog that opens, choose Trust Center>Trust Center Settings.

In the Trust Center dialog, choose File Block Settings.

Uncheck all the options that you are likely to use. OK out when you're done.

Retry opening your old Word files.