Word Corruption

In my documents folder, most of the word documents will not open because the computer cannot read them. It suggests using a text recovery converter, but finding this is not easy. Most of the search is from paid Apps? Any sugesstions would be appreciated

What version of Word is installed?
Also you can 'Repair' Word. See Repair an Office application - Microsoft Support
Also see: - How to troubleshoot damaged documents in Word - Microsoft 365 Apps

Please say what the file extension is for the documents that can not be read as well as what version of Word is on your computer. From your brief description, your issue could be caused not having Word associated with a particular file type.

What message do you get that leads you to believe the files are corrupted. A screenshot would be helpful.

Thank you. I have already searched several times but cant get something to work. I have the latest word in windows 11, not sure of the actual number or where to find it ??? Just seeing if others have had the same problem and what they used to correct it.

just wrote another letter, saved and then opened it, so dont see why so many others changed and cant be read.

Not understanding so much about computers and apps, but at 82, I am trying. Is there an actual app for the converter as I cannot find it

Snip of notice

I have also copied th enlarged icons which show a coloured square bottom left on the files that it cannot open - if this helps?

Mal161 said:

Not understanding so much about computers and apps, but at 82, I am trying. Is there an actual app for the converter as I cannot find it

Click to expand...

Actually, the Word/Office file formats changed beginning with Version 2007 as signified by the x added to the file extension. Previous versions of Office [2000, 2002/XP, and 2003] require the addition of a Compatibility Pack [file converter] to use the newer file types. [Office 2010 was the first to have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions available.]

A good free diagnostic for viability of office-type files is LibreOffice, very compatible with a number of formats including WordPerfect and Microsoft Works. www.libreoffice.org

Thanks Berton.
I would have though that windows 11 would have had all the latest updates, but if I understand you correct;y, word documents from my windows 7 saved in windows 11 on the laptop will always be doomed???It has been a while since I moved them to the laptop and they seemed OK, so can you explain what happened?

Do I heed to remove all damaged documents, or can they be repaired with an App, free or otherwise, , as a new operating system seems to be a huge step ....... I am having enough problems moving from 7 to 11

Malcolm

Are you using dropbox by chance or Onedrive?
See this Redirecting

The later versions of Office/Word can open the older files, as far back as Office 97. Had the older documents been previously opened in the newer Word? Don't rule out possible corruption in moving the files from one computer to another.

Please open Word and take a screenshot so we can figure out which version of Word you are using.
Don't have anything personal onscreen when you take the screenshot.

Word is not part of Windows but there are online versions of Word, there is WordPad, there are various versions of MSOffice Word, ...


All the best,
Denis

Mal161 said:

...

Snip of notice View attachment 71609

Click to expand...

The Text Recovery converter is part of Word. If it is stated in the message, then you have got it already.

I do not know how to use it as I don't use that particular Word Processor. It is something like, you just have to start up Word, select Open <filename> and then choose that option for Text Recovery.

I have tried 'repair' but it does nothing. The documents can not be opened. They were transferred from my windows 7 pc which I believe uses word 2007 but not sure which word is in my new laptop with windows 11. screenshots in previous answers.

Mal161 said:

screenshots in previous answers

Click to expand...

You have not posted a screenshot of your Word running.


Denis

IMO the files got corrupted when you moved them. Either the method in which you tried to move them or the media you used to move them with (if you used external media).
There are so many variables that are in play here.

Something you need to be aware of, if you purchased a new Windows 11 machine and set it up with a MS account, all your documents are in Onedrive, not on your computer's drive because the default location for your document's folder is Onedrive. (along with your Pictures and Desktop folders)

If you did not want to use Onedrive, the location of the documents folder should have been changed before you moved the files. Currently, when you open one of those files, it is being opened in Word on the web unless you installed your own MS Office program which it sounds like you did not. Word on the web is what can not read these files.

Please answer the following questions.
1. Do you still have access to the Windows 7 machine? If so, are all the documents viable in that machine? If so all is not lost but some work will be required.
2. How did you attempt to move these files? Did you use a usb flash drive? Did you copy these file to the flash drive or did you move them off the Windows 7 machine to the flash drive.
The files should have been copied. Doing it any other way messes up the permissions of the files.

Try Right Clicking on a file> Properties> General tab> Advanced> See if the box Folder/File is ready for archiving is checked. If so, uncheck that and try to open it

Also read this for possibilities


I also ran across this for what it's worth


A Guy

The documents transferred from my old windows 7 pc to my windows 11 laptop, were microsoft word - 2007 I think. Initially they were ok, but have since become unreadable and will not open - (screenshot above). I am still looking for the answer on how to change or read these documents on my laptop. trying to click on the brown box does nothing.

Mal161 said:

I am still looking for the answer on how to change or read these documents on my laptop.

Click to expand...

We know what you want, but I do not think you (and some of the others) have considered all the variables here. There is no "one answer fits all". Too many things are coming into play with your problem and you have not given enough information for us to deal with your particular case.
1.Default folder structure locations are different in 11.
2. Onedrive comes into play in 11 whereas it did not in 7.
3. You used a standalone copy of Office in 7, but not in 11.
4. Your account was different in 7 so permissions are different. You had to use the COPY function, not the MOVE function to transfer the files to removeable media.
5. The flash drive or external hard drive you used may have been defective, thereby corrupting the files.

Assuming you still have access to the files in the 7 machine, chances are all the files will have to be removed from 11 which in turn will remove them from onedrive and you have to start over with copying the files from 7 to another entirely different usb drive or uploading the files directly from windows 7 into onedrive.

So please understand there is no 1-2-3 click solution to your issue. As I said in post #15, If you still have access to the Windows 7 machine and IF those files are still viable using that machine, we may can advise you with specifics.

Please give direct answers to the following questions:
1.Do you still have access to the Windows 7 machine? If so, are all the documents still in your user folder on that machine and viable for opening in that machine?
If they are not still in your user folder in 7, are you able to open them from the external drive using 7?
2. Did you COPY and PASTE the files onto external media or did you MOVE them (ie drag and drop)?
3. Do you want to use Onedrive to store your files in Windows 11 which will in turn open the files using Office on the web? If you do not want to use Onedrive at all, that's an entirely different scenario as to what will have to be done.
4. Do you want to use your old copy of MS Office in 11? If so you must have a copy with a valid installation key.
.

Mal161 said:

I have tried 'repair' but it does nothing.

Click to expand...

'Repair' usually Repairs the installation of MS Office. It does nothing to your personal files.

The 'Text Recovery Converter' is part of MS Word and it can be used to convert your personal files into a readable format. Here is a tutorial on how to use the TRC:


Alternatively, as @Berton suggested earlier, use LibreOffice to do the conversion.

glasskuter said:

Please give direct answers to the following questions:
1.Do you still have access to the Windows 7 machine? If so, are all the documents still in your user folder on that machine and viable for opening in that machine?
If they are not still in your user folder in 7, are you able to open them from the external drive using 7?
2. Did you COPY and PASTE the files onto external media or did you MOVE them (ie drag and drop)?
3. Do you want to use Onedrive to store your files in Windows 11 which will in turn open the files using Office on the web? If you do not want to use Onedrive at all, that's an entirely different scenario as to what will have to be done.
4. Do you want to use your old copy of MS Office in 11? If so you must have a copy with a valid installation key.

Click to expand...

And, I suggest,
5 Post a screenshot of Word so we can try to figure out what it is that you are running.


Denis