How to Open Old Word Files (Word 97 to 2003)
Maybe you found an old USB stick, a CD or a folder of documents from years ago. The files end in .doc, and some of them won’t open, or they open with strange characters. These are old Word files, from before today’s DOCX format.
This guide shows how to open old Word files from Word 97, 2000, XP and 2003, and even older versions. It also shows how to save them in a modern format so they keep working for years to come.
Which Word files count as “old”?
| Word version | Years | File type | Opens easily today? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word 2007 to today | 2007 onward | .docx | Yes |
| Word 97, 2000, XP, 2003 | 1997 to 2006 | .doc | Yes, in most apps |
| Word 6.0 and Word 95 | 1993 to 1996 | .doc | Sometimes |
| Word 2.0 and older | Before 1993 | .doc | Often blocked |
| Word for Mac 5.1 and older | Early 1990s | Often no extension | Hard |
Files from Word 97 to 2003 are the most common and the easiest to open. The older they get, the more help you need.
Method 1: Open old Word files in modern Word
If you have Word from Microsoft 365, or any version from 2007 onward, it can open Word 97 to 2003 files directly.
- Double-click the file, or open Word and use File, Open.
- The title bar shows [Compatibility Mode]. That’s normal for old files.
- To update it, click File, Info, Convert. Then save.
If Word blocks the file
For safety, newer Word versions can block or limit very old file types, like files from Word 2.0 or Word 95. You may see a message saying the file type is blocked by your settings.
You can change this under File, Options, Trust Center, Trust Center Settings, File Block Settings. Only change it if you trust the file, and change it back afterwards. An easier and safer route is to use LibreOffice, below.
Method 2: Use LibreOffice (best for very old files)
LibreOffice is free and supports a long list of old document formats, including early Word versions that Microsoft no longer handles well.
- Download LibreOffice from libreoffice.org and install it.
- Open LibreOffice Writer.
- Click File, Open, and pick your old file.
- To save a modern copy, click File, Save As, and choose Word 2007-365 (.docx).
LibreOffice works offline and doesn’t upload your files, which is nice for old personal documents.
Method 3: Use Google Docs
Google Docs opens Word 97 to 2003 files well.
- Upload the file to Google Drive.
- Right-click it and choose Open with, then Google Docs.
- To save it as DOCX, click File, Download, Microsoft Word (.docx).
Very old files from before Word 97 may not work in Google Docs. Try LibreOffice for those.
Method 4: Use Apple Pages on a Mac
Pages opens most Word 97 to 2003 files. Right-click the file, choose Open With, then Pages. To keep a modern copy, use File, Export To, Word.
Old Word files with no extension
Files from old Macs often have no .doc at the end. Your computer doesn’t know what they are.
- Try adding .doc to the end of the name, then opening it in LibreOffice.
- If that fails, open LibreOffice first and use File, Open to pick the file. LibreOffice often detects the type on its own.
- As a last try, open the file in a plain text editor. You may be able to rescue the text, even if the formatting is lost.
Strange characters in old files
Sometimes an old file opens, but accented letters or symbols look wrong. This happens because older systems used different character sets. Some tips:
- Try another app. LibreOffice and Word may handle it differently.
- In LibreOffice, if it asks you to pick a character set, try Western Europe (Windows-1252) for English and most European languages.
- Files from other alphabets may need the matching character set, such as Cyrillic or Greek.
Should you convert old Word files?
Yes, if you want to keep them. Converting old DOC files to DOCX:
- Makes them open in more apps and online tools
- Removes any old macros, which is safer
- Makes files smaller
- Protects against old formats becoming harder to open in the future
Read our full guide on how to convert DOC to DOCX for free. It includes a way to convert a whole folder at once. For background, see DOCX vs DOC.
A simple plan for a folder of old documents
If you’ve found dozens or hundreds of old files, don’t open them one by one. Follow this plan instead.
- Copy everything from the old disk or stick to a new folder on your computer.
- Make a second copy of that folder as a backup, in case something goes wrong.
- Batch convert the whole folder to DOCX with LibreOffice. Our DOC to DOCX guide shows the command.
- Spot-check a handful of the new files to make sure they look right.
- Open the rest as needed. Once they’re DOCX, you can view them quickly in our online DOCX viewer on any device.
Keep a PDF copy too
For important old documents, like family history, old letters or records, save a PDF copy alongside the DOCX. PDFs are designed for long-term storage and look the same on every device. See how to convert DOCX to PDF and DOCX vs PDF for when to use each.
Recovering files from old CDs and disks
Old media can be the real problem, not the file format.
- CDs and DVDs: many new laptops have no disc drive. A cheap USB disc drive solves this.
- Floppy disks: USB floppy drives are still sold, but old disks often fail. Copy files off as soon as you can.
- Old USB sticks: copy everything to your computer before opening files. Old sticks can fail without warning.
- Old hard drives: a USB drive adapter lets you connect them to a modern computer.
Always copy files to a modern drive first, then open the copies.
Is it safe to open old Word files?
Old DOC files can contain macros, and some old viruses spread through them. If the files are your own, the risk is low. If they came from unknown sources, open them in LibreOffice or Google Docs, which don’t run Word macros, and don’t enable macros in Word. See are DOCX files safe to open for more.
Troubleshooting
“The file cannot be opened” in every app
The file itself may be damaged, often from ageing media. Try copying it again from the original disk. If the text matters, open the file in a plain text editor to see if any words can be rescued.
The layout is completely wrong
Very old files used features that no longer exist. Focus on saving the text first, then tidy the layout by hand.
The file is a DOCX, not a DOC
Then it’s not that old. See why won’t my DOCX file open, or view it right away in our online DOCX viewer.
How to tell which Word version made a file
You don’t always need to know, but it can help when a file won’t open. A few clues:
- The date. Right-click the file and check its properties. A file last changed in 1998 is probably from Word 97.
- Compatibility Mode. If modern Word opens it in Compatibility Mode, it’s a pre-2007 file.
- Document properties. In Word or LibreOffice, look under File, then Properties or Info. Some files record the program that made them.
If you still can’t tell, it doesn’t matter much. Try LibreOffice first, since it handles the widest range of old files, and move on from there.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open Word 97 files in Word 365?
Yes. They open in Compatibility Mode. Use File, Info, Convert to update them.
What’s the best free app for very old Word files?
LibreOffice. It supports more old formats than any other free tool.
Why does Word say the file type is blocked?
Word blocks some very old formats for safety. Use LibreOffice, or change File Block Settings in Word’s Trust Center if you trust the file.
Can I open old Word files on my phone?
Word 97 to 2003 files open in Google Docs and the Word app. Older ones usually need LibreOffice on a computer. See how to open a DOC file.
Will converting damage the original?
No. Converting creates a new file. Keep the original as a backup until you’ve checked the new one.
Can I open old WordPerfect or Works files the same way?
Often, yes. LibreOffice can open many old word processor formats, not just Word. Try it before giving up on a file.
