Some notebooks created with OneNote 2010 won't open with OneNote 2016

Pearson240 · 03 Feb 2020

Created several Notebooks using OneNote 2010. Moved to new laptop so downloaded free version of OneNote 2016 (not from Windows store). Some of the notebooks open, but when trying to open others, I get the message that I need Office 365 to view them.

Why this inconsistent behavior --- some notebooks opening, some requiring 365? Any tips? Thank you!

Windows 10, Surface Pro 7

Berton · 03 Feb 2020

Only an observation as I don't use it: there's been 'chatter' about the version of OneNote that comes installed with Windows being different than the version included with Office. Don't know which version is offered by The Store. Don't know if relevant but Office 2007 and later had file formats changed from offerings in Office 2003 and earlier.

Helmut · 03 Feb 2020

I use OneNote 2010, and always refuse the free update. I still have OneNote 2010. All the other MS applications are 2010 versions as well.
So basically don't get the problem. Experience tells me that a newer version by 6 years will not be exactly the same. There will certainly be changes.

You can of course uninstall the 2016 version and re-install the 2010 version.

Do a MS Office website search for additional add-ons or filters.

The MS Store version of OneNote is an Apps UWP version with simpler facilities. I don't use it.

Pearson240 · 04 Feb 2020

To clarify: I also have OneNote 2016 (the free version) on a different computer (desktop). I was able to open all the notebooks, even the ones that wouldn't open on my laptop. So there seems to be something else going on.

Berton · 04 Feb 2020

Pearson240 said:

To clarify: I also have OneNote 2016 (the free version) on a different computer (desktop). I was able to open all the notebooks, even the ones that wouldn't open on my laptop. So there seems to be something else going on.

I may be wrong but seems your experience with different versions of OneNote is adding credence to that "chatter" I mentioned.

Pearson240 · 09 Feb 2020

More clarification: The version I have of OneNote 2016 is the free version available online---I have the exact same version on both my laptop and desktop, both running Windows 10. The one on the laptop can't open some of the notebooks (message saying I need Office 365), the one on the desktop can open all notebooks.

I also tried creating a new notebook on the laptop, and got a message saying I could only create a new notebook on OneDrive. Again, I am not having this issue with OneNote 2016 on the desktop.