Try these troubleshooting steps if you can’t open a docx file with Word or after installing the compatibility pack, and you need to recover your data. Sometimes you cannot open docx files even if you have the correct version of Word (or the compatibility pack or viewer) installed. If you don’t want to download the free trial, see How to Open docx files Without Word.

If you don’t have one of the newer versions of Word installed, you can download the Microsoft Word free trial, then use it to open the docx file. If you still can’t open the document, read the troubleshooting tips on this page for help. I do not have Word installed ( link opens new page)ĭo you already have Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, or 2013 installed? Just double-click the file icon to open and edit the file.I have a previous version of Word installed ( link opens new page).

These instructions work for docx and docm files, but you will not be able to open dotx and dotm files unless you are running Word 2007, 2010, or 2013.Ĭlick the statement that best describes your set up.

Microsoft files will not open