Old version of MSoft Word

[jimtherev]

From time to time I need to access some relatively old files in Word. The error message I get is:

"You are attempting to open a file created by an earlier version of Microsoft Office. This file is blocked from opening in this version by your registry policy setting." which is a pain

Registry policies is summat I've never tinkered with, so before I mess about, can anyone give me guidance as to what to tweak?

Pretty Please and Thank You.
Jim

p.s. Up to now I've been opening in Open Office & re-saving, which does the trick, but it's a nuisance.

[BOAC]

Jim - which version of Word are you running, and do you know the version of the relevant file? The MS Office site (http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/downloads/default.aspx) may well have a plug-in which will do the registry dirty work for you.

[green granite]

For office 2003 or 2007 go to: You receive an error message when you try to open a file type that was blocked by your registry policy settings in Word 2007 or in Word 2003 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922849/) it will tell you how to deal with it.

But BACK UP the registry before you do it see: How to back up and restore the registry in Windows (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/)

[jimtherev]

Thanks BOAC - prob '97 and certainly '03 now...

and thanks GG. Yes, I can back up the reg at least, and I'll look at the link you've posted when I've dunnit.

See you later.
Jim

[jimtherev]

Followed the link, looked at the link, printed the contents of the link, then...

subkey specified in the instructions doesn't exist. Ernest study required - but when I've a couple of hours digging/swearing time, not now: I'm supposed to be producing stuff.

Thanks anyway
Jim

[Saab Dastard]

Ernest study required

I thought your name was Jim? Why does Ernest have to study, it's not his problem, is it? :)

SD

[al446]

Why not just use Open Office all the time?

[jimtherev]

Why not just use Open Office all the time?
Yerss, there is that... but life would be sooo dull. More seriously, I've got all me templates set up & so on, and I really haven't the time (or I'm too lazy) to start that all over again.

Mind you, it'll probably come to that when Windows 7.1 refuses to accept any other Msoftware written before 2000. :rolleyes:

[Shunter]

Check both the HKEY_CURRENT_USER and the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE registry hives. The article only details the former, whereas putting the value in the latter would cause it to be applied to all users of the machine, not just you.

I agree the fact that OpenOffice can easily deal with existing Word templates is a terrible bind, the fact that it does basic things like print direct to PDF out of the box is a real pain in the ass, and the fact that it's free really annoys me.