Wordicon.exe File Conversion question

Question

When I open Word 2007 now, I get a message about "File Conversion - Wordicon.exe" with the default showing MS Word and a whole bunch of code under the message. I can still use Word, but if I save a document as a pdf, all I get is code all over the page if I try and open the pdf saved file. Any ideas on how to get rid of this file conversion. I backup my files on several different media, so I can re-install Office and bring the saved documents back over if you think this will help.

Answer 1

Are you able to open other Office applications (e.g. Excel)?

It could be caused by a corrupt user profile.

You may create a new test user account and check if word works fine.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/Windows7/Create-a-user-account

Answer 2

What is the complete error message you receive?

Do you face this issue when you open the Word application or a word document?

Are you trying open a PDF file using Word?

Word is not designed to open PDF files.

Start Word in safe and see if it helps.

Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Run.

In the Run window, type in “winword /safe” without quotes and click OK (Note the space between “outlook” and “/”).

If Word works as expected in safe, refer the link below to disable templates and add-ins

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/load-or-unload-a-template-or-add-in-program-HA010105537.aspx#BM2

If the issue persists, repair the Office installation and check if it resolves it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924611

Answer 3

I am able to open Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint wthout any problems. I've run my anti-virus software including their power scrubbing software to remove hard to find files. I've still got the problem. It seems that some "hackers" create a malware virus that masks itself as the wordicon.exe file so if someone trys to remove the bad file, the software finds nothing wrong with it and leaves it place as a safe file.

My only choice is to remove Word completely and then re-install it.

Answer 4

I started Word in the Safe mode and the problem still exists.

I tried the Office repair application listed above with out success.

I have an updated version of Norton's 360 Premium Antivirus program that is not detecting the "wordicon.exe" file as being a problem.

I tried Norton's Power Eraser to remove the file without success.

I re-installed the Office 2007 programs in repair mode without having any change made to the problem.

It seems that some virus files list themselves as safe wordicon.exe files to mask them being detected by antivirus programs.

I'm going to remove my Office 2007 programs, re-install them as new files and copy over my documents to see if this gets rid of the problem. Before I do this, if someone has another answer, I'm up for trying it.