New Windows 10 . Much chagrined to find that I apparently cannot create or write on existing wordpad documents without activating MS Office. Wordpad is listed as a Windows 10 accessory. I can't imagine why it should be linked to Office/Word. I don't want to download Office/Word because of expense. Is there a way around this? I have a copy of Windows Office 2007. Would it be compatible with this latest windows 10 ?
Simply put, Wordpad is a very 'lite' version of Word, included in Windows to give some productivity. Office 2007 is compatible with files from Office 2010 through 2013, probably even 2016 and can open and save files of previous versions, Office 2003 back to Office 2000 or even Office 97 and Office 95. I use 2007, 2010 and 2013 on my computers, even have an old Office 2000 on an Insider Preview computer. For my less affluent clients I have good success getting them the free LibreOffice, can even open their recipe files created in Microsoft Works. I have it on every all the Notebooks I own where I can demonstrate its functions. It is cross-platform, also works on macOS [formerly Mac OS X] and Linux [comes with most free Linux Distros].
Home | LibreOffice - Free Office Suite - Fun Project - Fantastic People.
HI there
a better - more compatible version of Office (and FREE) is The Most Compatible Free Office Suite - WPS Office
I rarely if ever see this mentioned on the Forums -- so much better than Libre office and works on Linux too.
However that said Wordpad should be able to WRITE -- check permissions of files / directories -- it's not a requirement to have any version of Office installed to use Wordpad -- and for some people that might simply be enough if you don't need a full office suite.
BTW the PAID version of WPS office (cheap - around 45 EUR) can also run VB Basic in things like its version of "Excel" so even more compatibility with Office.
Compare WPS Office
Cheers
jimbo
I'm able to create a new Word Pad document, however; when the file is saved, it becomes a Word Document. Upon reopening, I get the Activate Office notice and I'm able to read the document, but I can't write/change the document. I went to MS chat before bringing the problem to 10 Forums. After taking control of my computer, the tech tried saving new Wordpad documents several times and finally decided that MS Office is required. He seemed surprised at this too. Too bad, since Wordpad would be ideal for my unsophisticated use. IMHO, it should be a windows accessory without regard to Office. My thanks to Berton and Jimbo for the links to the free downloads. They seem impressive but much more than I need. I'll probably just dig out my old Office 2007 disk and download portions that I need, i.e. Wordpad. Of course, there's always Notepad.
Right, it does appear Wordpad saves as Word documents but in reality it saves as Office Open XML Document (*.docx), quite normal. I believe that was a change in format of files beginning with Office 2007 which would also explain the need for a Compatibility Pack installation on Office 2003, Office XP/2002 and Office 2000 to read the newer format. If not having Word installed a .docx should open in Wordpad, probably even the .doc format. My wife uses Wordpad for a monthly minutes report for a church committee and doesn't have Word or any part of an Office suite of applications installed on her Notebook.
As for the reloading of Office 2007, keep in mind that Wordpad comes with Windows, not Office. It has been available in Windows for a number of versions/years but can be left out on some. Installing Word does not disable Wordpad.
Thanks Berton. I tried creating WordPad.docx documents. Still cannot write / make changes in the document once it has been saved and reopened. A work around is to bring up the document from the recent file within Wordpad....then, you can write / change the document as per normal. Additionally, the original document is changed when the changes are saved. I'm told by my son that Santa is going to solve this problem. What could he mean? Thanks again.
Cbarton
Well now, I'd think Santa has in mind a new machine for you. If you are anywhere near my age that would be most beneficial to me as it's been 3 years since I had a new Notebook and I have all the other 'toys' I need.
By 'new', do you mean you've just bought it? And is it a Surface by any chance?
The document will open with whatever is set in the file associations. Maybe MS deliberately set the default association to Word to 'encourage' you to purchase their product. It's easy to change the association to open documents with anything you want. Settings > System > Default apps and click Set defaults by app. Scroll down the list to find Wordpad, click on it and it says...
Microsoft WordPad is a word processing program that you can use to create and edit text documents with rich formatting and pictures. WordPad can open .docx, .odt, .rtf or .txt files.
Click the 'Choose defaults for this program' and tick the ones you want it to open, I'd tick the first three and leave the default Notepad to handle .txt files.
Fantastic Bree. I followed your directions explicitly and immediately noticed the word icons on the desktop changed to wordpad. Wordpad is now completely functional and I get the added bonus of not seeing the MS Office brochure popup every time I open a wordpad document. You are an absolute whiz. To answer your question, the new system is on a Lenovo Ideapad Flex with touch . Perhaps MS should rethink their marketing strategy, especially when I called them on the chat line and the tech refused to tell me about this simple fix. (all in aid of selling me an app that I do not need.) Enough venting.
I appreciate your interest and here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Cbarton
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