How to Make a Microsoft Word 2007 Default Program

Microsoft Word 2007 is the latest word processing software distributed as a part of the Microsoft Office package. Word 2007 documents have the extensions "doc" or docx." However, it is possible to make Word 2007 a default program for file types normally associated with other extensions, for example ".txt." Making Word 2007 a default program might also be needed if several versions of Microsoft Office (for instance, 2003 and 2007) are installed on the same computer.

Instructions

1. Log in to an administrator-type account in Windows 7/Vista.

2. Click Windows "Start" button and then on "Computer" to open Windows Explorer.

3. Click the menu "Tools" and "Folder Options" in Windows Explorer.

4. Select the tab "View" and uncheck the box "Hide extensions for known file types" under Advanced settings. Click "OK."

5. Navigate to a folder that contains any file with the extension you need to associate with Microsoft Word 2007, for example ".doc" or ".txt" extensions.

6. Right-click on such a file and click "Open With" and "Choose default program"

7. Expand the program list by clicking on a small triangle next to "Other Programs."

8. Select "Microsoft Word 2007" from the list and click "OK."

References

• "Windows Vista: The Missing Manual;" David Pogue; 2006
• "Microsoft Office 2007 Simplified;" Sherry Willard Kinkoph; 2007.