How to set Google Docs to use MS Word interface-tabs, menus?

Question

My colleague and I are both working on the same MS Word doc.

She uploaded it to Google Docs on Google Drive, so we can both work, at the same time, and see Tracked Changes of each other, and respond to them.

Her tech support set her Google Drive to use the full MS Word interface that we are accustomed to, instead of the Google Docs interface with fewer options.

But when I open the file in my Google Docs, I don't see the Word interface: tabs, menus, especially Review / Track Changes options. I see only Google Docs menus.

I use Windows 10, Microsoft 365.

Images:

Screenshots 1 and 2 are her view. (She uses black background.) This is the full Word interface, desired.

Screenshot 3 is my view. (I use white background.) This is the Google Docs interface, insufficient.

How can I change my Google Drive settings to use the full MS Word interface?

Screenshot 1:

Screenshot 2:

Screenshot 3:

Thank you!

Answer 1

Dear AskMSComm,

Hello! Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

It looks like you are using Google Drive, and when you open a document, Google Docs is used by default. You want to change to Microsoft Word.

Thank you for your support and love for Microsoft products! I understand your feelings and I will do my best to help you.

It looks like you are using the web version of Google Drive? If you open a document in the web version of Google Drive, Google Docs is used by default. And you cannot change it to Microsoft Word. In the web version of Google Drive, select "..." to the right of your document, and you should see "Open with". Change it here, but it does not support using Microsoft Word.

If you want to use Microsoft Word, you may need to download the Google Drive client (desktop version). Click the link here to download it:

Google Drive: Share Files Online with Secure Cloud Storage | Google Workspace

Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate and safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it. 

Scroll down here to download the desktop version:

After downloading and logging in correctly, you may have some operations that need to be synchronized. Regarding this part, if you encounter problems, you can consult Google's technical support. Because this is not a product within our support scope.

Here are the steps to log in correctly and set up synchronization: Open "File Explorer", you should see "Google Drive" on the left, click it, then find the file you want to open (shared file), right-click and select Open with, select "Word". If not, click "Choose another app", then select Word, and click "Always".

After that, when you open any document in Google, it should be opened with Word. One of the reasons I made this judgment is that the first two pictures you provided (your colleague) are obviously the desktop version of Word, which means that she also opened the document on the desktop, not the web version.

If you make any progress, feel free to let me know.Best wishesPyke.D | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

It would appear that you have the desktop version of Word, so in Google Drive, you can use File | Download | Microsoft Word (.docx) to download it to your computer and then open it in Word.