How to Set an Older Version of MS Office as the Default to Open Files
When multiple versions of Microsoft Office are installed on a computer, you might prefer that a specific version be used to open files. This setting can be achieved in Windows by modifying the default program assigned to office file type (such as Excel). Once these settings are modified, the Windows operating system (Windows 98 or newer) will open the file in the specified version of Office anytime the file is double-clicked.
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Instructions
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Getting Started
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1
Open Windows Explorer.
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Right-click "My Computer" and select "Properties." "My Computer" may be displayed as "Computer" on some versions of Windows.
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Read the information on the "General" tab to determine the version of Windows installed on your computer.
Windows 7 and Vista
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4
Open "Control Panel," then "Control Panel Home," then "Default Programs" and "Associate a File Type or Protocol With a Program."
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Select the file extension (such as .xls) that you wish to associate with a different version of a Microsoft Office application.
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Click the "Change Program" button, and select one of the recommend programs. If the desired version of the Microsoft Office application is not displayed, browse to the desired version of the Microsoft Office application you wish to use to edit the file type.
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Click "OK" to save the changes.
Windows 98, 2000 and XP
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Open Windows Explorer.
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Click on the "Tools" menu, and select "Folder Options" and then "File Types."
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Select the file extension (such as .xls) that you wish to associate with a different version of a Microsoft Office application.
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Select "Change," and choose one of the recommended programs. If the desired version of the Microsoft Office application is not displayed, browse to the desired version of the Microsoft Office application you wish to use to edit the file type.
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Click "OK" to save the changes.
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Tips & Warnings
Alternatively, you can right-click the file whose association you want to change, then choose "Properties," the "General" tab, "Type of File," "Change" and then choose a program from the list of recommended or other programs, or click "Browse" to select one.
