New Microsoft Word

JBR · Jan 21, 2025

Many thanks for admitting me to this forum.

Yesterday, suddenly without warning, when opening one of my saved MS Word files, I was presented with a completely new and apparently far less usable file. I have been using MS Word 2007 and it appears that this has now been overwritten with new MS Word software which I really do not like!

I have fiddled about as much as I can, and can now once again open my files in Word 2007. The problem is that it takes about a minute for it to load up, so at least I still seem to have the Word 2007 software on my computer.

I should like to remove completely the new Word software if that is possible, but retain the Word 2007 installation as I'm pretty sure that if I do such a thing I might end up removing all of the Word software and thus being unable to open any of my many Word documents.

I'd be very grateful for any technological advice.

antspants · Jan 21, 2025

Hi, welcome

You should be able to uninstall those apps from the Start menu:

Select Start
Select All apps
Search for the app
Press and hold (or right-click) on the app
Select Uninstall

antspants · Jan 21, 2025

Just check. Have a look in all apps. I believe the 2007 versions should be called Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel etc

The newer apps that get installed with Windows Eleven are just called Word, Excel etc I believe.

JBR · Jan 21, 2025

Thank you both for your helpful advice.
I can no longer find the Word 2007 software, which I assume has been overwritten.

If I load a file, it begins to load the file, stating that it is loading it in Word 2007 and takes about 30 seconds to finish loading. The file then appears as it has done in the past before the new Word software was loaded on to my computer. Another potential problem is that MIcrosoft may at some time begin to demand payment for the use of their newer Word software. This does eventually display the files as they always have been, despite the delay.

One option I have is to open the Word files with LibreOffice Writer, which seems to work well, but with some minor changes in appearance. I might find this option as an improvement on using the new Microsoft Word. I could also, if necessary, re-write the files using LibreOffice to ensure a smoother display, although it would take me some time.

Ideally, I might prefer to delete all of the new Microsoft software and replace them with an old Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 CD which I still possess, and this also has a Product Key on the packaging. I'm not sure whether this would work, as the installation may need to contact Microsoft during the installation who may somehow not permit the installation.

So I have a couple of options for now. I do appreciate your advice and hope that I may call on you again if necessary.

markw51 · Jan 21, 2025

JBR said:
Many thanks for admitting me to this forum.

Yesterday, suddenly without warning, when opening one of my saved MS Word files, I was presented with a completely new and apparently far less usable file. I have been using MS Word 2007 and it appears that this has now been overwritten with new MS Word software which I really do not like!

I have fiddled about as much as I can, and can now once again open my files in Word 2007. The problem is that it takes about a minute for it to load up, so at least I still seem to have the Word 2007 software on my computer.

I should like to remove completely the new Word software if that is possible, but retain the Word 2007 installation as I'm pretty sure that if I do such a thing I might end up removing all of the Word software and thus being unable to open any of my many Word documents.

I'd be very grateful for any technological advice.

Why on earth would you want to stay with software that is around 18 years old? The new Word format .docx is much more robust then the old .doc format and is also fully backwards compatible so Microsoft 365 can open all of your old .doc files.

JBR · Jan 21, 2025

markw51 said:
Why on earth would you want to stay with software that is around 18 years old? The new Word format .docx is much more robust then the old .doc format and is also fully backwards compatible so Microsoft 365 can open all of your old .doc files.

Thank you. The problem is that I don't like the layout and prefer my own settings, which the new Word seems to want to change. In addition, I think that Microsoft may want to begin charging me to use their new software.

antspants · Jan 21, 2025

JBR said:
I can no longer find the Word 2007 software, which I assume has been overwritten.

I don’t believe it would do that.

JBR said:
Another potential problem is that MIcrosoft may at some time begin to demand payment for the use of their newer Word software.

You would first have to accept to pay them for it. Which you don’t want to.

JBR said:
If I load a file, it begins to load the file, stating that it is loading it in Word 2007 and takes about 30 seconds to finish loading.

This could be due to another reason.

What version of Windows are you using? Is it 23H2 or 24H2?

Could you not discriminate between the two icons to remove the new Word?

You could download Revo Uinstaller Free and go to the “Microsoft Apps” section and uninstall them from there

Download Revo Uninstaller Free - Remove unwanted programs easily

Download Revo Uninstaller Free helps you to uninstall software and remove unwanted programs easily. Remove all uninstall leftovers and traces

www.revouninstaller.com

K7MEM · Jan 21, 2025

I am running the latest W11 24H2 and use MS Office 2007. It is listed in my windows menu simply as "Microsoft Office". I only use "Microsoft Word 2007" (*.docx files) and "Microsoft Excel 2007" (*.xlsx files), but they both seem to work just fine. I also have a lot of ".rtf" files that open in "Microsoft Word 2007". The ".rtf" were written dynamically from a GAWK/SH script as documentation for old microprocessor programs.

I also see that there is something simply called "Word" in my windows menu. That must be the "Word" you are talking about. However, I have never used it and just ignore it. I also have a Windows 10 desktop that has the same MS Office 2007 installation. Again, no issues.

It's been years since I needed to use mine, but if it was me, I would break out the original CD and try a reinstall.

antspants · Jan 21, 2025

Further to my comments above, if you’re not willing to install REVO Uninstaller to remove the Windows 11 Microsoft Apps, make sure the association is correct in Windows 11 to open your documents with Office 2007 products and not the Microsoft Apps.

However I would advise you to use REVO and remove the apps.

antspants · Jan 21, 2025

K7MEM said:
I am running the latest W11 24H2 and use MS Office 2007. It is listed in my windows menu simply as "Microsoft Office". I only use "Microsoft Word 2007" (*.docx files) and "Microsoft Excel 2007" (*.xlsx files), but they both seem to work just fine. I also have a lot of ".rtf" files that open in "Microsoft Word 2007". The ".rtf" were written dynamically from a GAWK/SH script as documentation for old microprocessor programs.

I also see that there is something simply called "Word" in my windows menu. That must be the "Word" you are talking about. However, I have never used it and just ignore it. I also have a Windows 10 desktop that has the same MS Office 2007 installation. Again, no issues.

It's been years since I needed to use mine, but if it was me, I would break out the original CD and try a reinstall.

Perhaps we can help JBR to right click on a document related to his issues and select Open With. As you have Office 2007 installed, perhaps you could tell JBR where the Word (& Excell) 2007 executables are, if they are not listed in the options to Open With.

antspants · Jan 21, 2025

Choose Default Apps in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you different ways to set default apps used to open file and link types for your account in Windows 11. A default app is the program that Windows has assigned to open a file or link type with by default when you open it. Default apps you choose will only apply to your...

www.elevenforum.com

JBR · Jan 22, 2025

Thank you all for your very helpful advice. I have been very busy but I shall make an effort to follow up on all of your suggestions.

JBR · Jan 22, 2025

I have searched on my computer for the new Word and the only result is a suggestion that I purchase Office 365 for £85. No thank you, not when I already have (or had) the software I need to open all my Word files.
I have attempted to open a file using 'open with', which offers the options of Word (2007), LibreOffice (which I have been using), and a programme called 'soffice'.
I don't want to pay for some software which I really don't need, and I am rather annoyed that Microsoft has invaded my computer without warning with the intention of holding me to ransom with the demand to pay them £85!

antspants · Jan 22, 2025

JBR said:
I have attempted to open a file using 'open with', which offers the options of Word (2007)

Good, select that and click “Always”

As for that add or other version, should be able to right click and uninstall.

idgat · Jan 22, 2025

JBR said:
don't want to pay for some software which I really don't need, and I am rather annoyed that Microsoft has invaded my computer without warning with the intention of holding me to ransom with the demand to pay them £85!

No they haven't, that would only have happened if a user clicks on the icon that activates the use of MS365. You were not forced to, and you are not being held to ransom. You clearly don't understand or appreciate Microsoft's entitlement to offer products ... it's annoying but it's called marketing. Nothing you claim above convinces me that anything other than user intervention - unintentional and/or accidental - has happened

The ideal way to remove this "offer" is to use RevoUninstaller, as suggested above.

JBR · Jan 22, 2025

I have been trying the options suggested by Antspants, but unfortunately even when I choose another app - Microsoft Office Word (Word 2007 is not listed), the long wait continues. I also found the option for 'Microsoft Office Click to run IntegratedOfficeExe' from which I receive the message:
"You have a newer version of Microsoft 365 and Office installed Microsoft 365 - en-US If you want to install an older version of 365, please remove these newer products and try again"
I don't want to install an older version of 365, I just want to use my old Office 2007.

What do you think my best course of action should be?

I am pretty angry that Microsoft has installed this new software on my computer without my permission and, in so doing, has created a lot of additional work and concern for me. Actually, I feel like complaining to them for interfering with my computer without my assent.

JBR · Jan 22, 2025

idgat said:
No they haven't, that would only have happened if a user clicks on the icon that activates the use of MS365. You were not forced to, and you are not being held to ransom. You clearly don't understand or appreciate Microsoft's entitlement to offer products ... it's annoying but it's called marketing. Nothing you claim above convinces me that anything other than user intervention - unintentional and/or accidental - has happened

The ideal way to remove this "offer" is to use RevoUninstaller, as suggested above.

I take your point, but I have not intentionally activated MS365, other than attempting to open a Word document whose icon suddenly appeared differently one day. I may have to use RevoUninstaller and hope that my old Word 2007 remains usable.

idgat · Jan 22, 2025

JBR said:
I am pretty angry that Microsoft has installed this new software on my computer without my permission

Stop saying that. No they haven't. Microsoft have done some dastardly deeds in adding unwanted bloatware to devices (usually in the course of a (major) update) but in this case, what appears to have happened from your descriptions can only be done by user intervention.

Using RevoUninstaller
Install and run RevoUninstaller

Options tab (along the top) > Uninstaller (LH column)
Untick Make a Restore Point before uninstall
Tick Checkmark all leftovers by default

Select the Apps tab along the top
Double click the target app
Run the uninstallation process

Select the Uninstaller tab
Double click the target program
Run the uninstall option
When it's finished, DO NOT reboot even if prompted when completed
Select the Advanced button and then run the process to remove all leftover files/folders/registry entries left behind after a normal uninstall process.

If prompted at any stage previously, now do the reboot

idgat · Jan 22, 2025

JBR said:
other than attempting to open a Word document whose icon suddenly appeared differently one day

And I clearly suspect that this was NOT the "new" MS Word icon you clicked but in fact the icon (commonly known as a program stub) leading to the full installation of MS365 which required the user's acceptance and activation to install the "new" Word. The program was installed, assumed the responsibility as the default program for all Word (et al) files, that when opened during an introductory free trial period, asks for the payment.

dabour · Jan 22, 2025

idgat said:
No they haven't, that would only have happened if a user clicks on the icon that activates the use of MS365. You were not forced to, and you are not being held to ransom.

I agree with this, we all had MS 365 with recent versions of Windows 10 and 11 and it never happened that MS forced install Office. You should follow the advise in @antspants answer and uninstalled 365 app and then if you wish reinsatll Office 2007.

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