how many versions

Question

How do I know if I have more than one Word version on my computer?

Answer 1

Search File Explorer for the file WINWORD.EXE.

Answer 2

On Windows, only one instance of the Word program (Winword.exe) runs even when multiple documents are open, so multiple taskbar buttons do not necessarily mean multiple Word versions.

To check whether more than one version of Word is installed:

1. Open any Word document.
2. Select File > Account (or File > Help in older versions).
3. Under Product Information, note the product name and version.
4. Repeat this check from any other Word shortcuts you have (for example, from Start menu, desktop, or different Office folders). If opening from different shortcuts shows different product names or major versions, then multiple Word versions are installed.

To confirm that only one Word executable is running when multiple documents are open:

1. Open two or more documents in Word.
2. Open Task Manager (for example, by pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE and choosing Task Manager).
3. On the Processes tab, verify that there is only one WINWORD.EXE process. This indicates a single Word version is running, even if multiple windows appear.

If two versions of Word are installed, Word 2010 (or the newer version) will register itself each time it starts, which can cause a delay when starting that version.

---

References:

• About Office: What version of Office am I using?
• A new instance of Word appears to run when you create or open an additional document in Word 2000 and in later versions of Word
• How to use Office 2013 suites and programs (MSI deployment) on a computer running another version of Office