Open DOC files

  • Full name
    Microsoft Word 97 To 2003 Document Format
  • Developer
    Microsoft
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a DOC file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a DOC file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your DOC file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is DOC file?

The DOC extension is used by the Word Word document processor most commonly used in Windows for document files. The DOC format is the standard format of Microsoft Word versions 97 through up Version 2003. As of version 2007 Microsoft introduced the new format DOCX.

More info

In addition to the normal text, a DOC file also contains formatting instructions, formulas, tables, images and possibly also macros. These macros may contain malicious code, which is why you should always do a virus scan before you run them

should install the latest security updates for the Microsoft Office suite.

The Doc format has reached a fairly high popularity, which is why it can be read and created by other office programs for several years. Unfortunately, backward compatibility is not always 100% guaranteed.

Programs which can open a DOC file

How to open file with DOC extension?

In order to open a file with DOC extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening DOC file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with DOC files, follow the instructions below.
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Install Microsoft Word or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening DOC files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support DOC files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of DOC files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Microsoft Word as the default program for opening DOC files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate DOC files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Microsoft Word applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Microsoft Word has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with DOC files

Sometimes problems with opening DOC files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • DOC files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open DOC files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • DOC file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

Possible conversions of DOC file

Similar extensions