Where can I buy MS Works 9?

I've already used that method to convert all my word processor and spreadsheet Works files to MS Office formats. The latest Works does not support the oldest Works formats, and I fortunately still had an intermediary Works version that did. 

I used search in Windows Explorer to identify all the files: 

type:wps (type:.wps and type:=.wps also seems to work, but I don't know the exact search syntax).

But I have found no replacement for the Works database format which has the most important features I need without being overly complicated like Access or open source equivalents that you need a PhD to understand.

The nuisance with Microsoft is they create proprietory file formats that aren't even supported from one MS product to the next, and then from one day to the other dump their users without providing a suitable migration path. Same problem with Photodraw's .mix files. Microsoft is increasingly a waste of space.

Hi Sanwin2, 

Thanks for your comments.

The last install was pre-installed in 2002, and although I have an upgrade, it's too old and in the wrong language. I can still use it on the old PC, but that's of no use on the new.

I had read one place that Works is no longer sold, but how on earth would MS customer service know that? The strange thing is that http://www.microsoft.com/products/works/default.mspx doesn't say anything about the product no longer being available. It even contains information about purchase, with links to vendors where the product is not available:

"Get it. Order Works 9 today."

I have OO but it won't open these files, at least not the wdb (database) which are the ones causing problems.

After what I found on http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2010-office_other/2010-home-office-conversion-from-office-home-and/d5108663-e005-40f9-851a-91201a39371e?msgId=2b8967f1-be2b-462a-995a-ed2abe5e9bae Libre Office won't do it either.

However, your comments were still helpful, because by including Libre Office in my search, I found http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111130121336AAVxIdK that points to

http://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/55-microsoft-works-9-0-direct-download-links where one can download a copy of Works 9. The installation works.

Word 2010 can open wps files, and Excel 2010 kan open xlr files but not wks files. So by replacing Works by Office Starter, some continuity has been assured, but MS have simply dumped Works database users in the dustbin, leaving them with millions of unusable files containing years' work.

My own problem is thus solved, but it doesn't change the fact that this way of handling Works by MS is a complete shambles leaving users in a limbo.

Do you not have your disc from the last install?

MS no longer produces Works AFAIKS.   I was not aware that Office couldn't open works files successfully.

Check out the free suites Open Office and/or Libre Office to see if they can read your files.

MS Office products DO NOT open MS Works Database files (.wdb extension).

A person has to use a rather convoluted copy/paste/export to csv/import into new database and a lot of crossing of fingers.

You can use Microsoft Works 6 to 9 converter to convert the Word Processor (.wps) documents to Word.  I believe now the word processor in Works is Word (.doc/.docx) and no longer .wps.

I rue the day I bought MS Works, but the database is exceptional for the home use and OO office and access come nowhere close to the simplicity.  I've used MS Works database for several small libraries and the report function and field entry is exceptionally easy.

hello Microsoft - keep MS Works Database running for us - please!

* Update * I just called the Microsoft Store in our province and they said the best thing is to convert to Access and they help people with that if needed, and even offer some courses to learn Access.  I said that I did not like Access and felt I should still be able to at least purchase a legal, although unsupported copy of MS Works 9 as a download from Microsoft if I had their product installed on my XP computer.  I did not really care if it was "supported", I just want a legal download of MS Works 9 so I don't have to buy a program I don't want and spend days trying to figure it out.  

It was also suggested that I can now purchase 365 and pay $80 every 4 years to get support of the software.  I don't understand how this is any different than buying software periodically, but maybe it's a sign of things to come that we cannot function without being plugged in.

There are several websites offerings downloads of MS Works 9 but unfortunately some are not legitimate.  It is my opinion that piracy starts when legitimate companies don't support their customers base and people get desparate to function with the software they have.

I think that my solution is going to be to keep my XP going offline with my MS works database untl some one at Microsoft realizes they have customers out there.

And, keep all your old computers and software is the moral of the story.

Glad you got sorted.