Windows 10: How do I make old MS Works files compatible w/Win 10?

Well, as I said, I tried OfficeLibre and it converted my files (not many on my desktop PC, thank God), but I need to get them back to their O.O. (.odt) format. Is there anyway I can do this now? BTW, Office 365 came installed on the desktop and it looked like it was opening the files, but I'd have to buy it or try for, I think, 30 days. I'll do this if I must, but I'd really like to have both my computers running the same word processor.

 

Supported Operating System
Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows XP

• • Supported Office Versions: Office 2003 Service Pack 2 or greater; Office 2007
    Office 2003 Service Pack 3
  • Supported Windows Installer Version: Windows Installer 3.1 or greater
    Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista have this minimum required version of the Windows Installer.
    Windows Installer 3.1 is also available as a separate download at the following location:
    Windows Installer 3.1 Redistributable

This is what I got when I tried to download MS Works 6-9.

 

It won't have changed the format of the files, what it has changed is the file associations (the name of the app that's used to open the file). To change the file association back right-click on one of the .odt files and select 'Open with...' then you can choose your Open Office app and tick the 'always use this app' box. It's Option Two in this Tutorial.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...a.html#option2

 

When I right click and select O.O. it opens a read only file...cannot add more characters. Left click (to open file), opens it and then you get the "Let's get started" MS Office365 offer. I may have to go this route. It will open O.O. files, but expensive considering all I ever use is the word processor. Please help me find another way. Thanks for your assistance.

 

Did you earlier open the file with something else then save it? If so, that could explain why O.O. is opening as 'read-only'. Try opening one in O.O. then 'Save As..' under another name. Can you then open that normally?

 

I've opened the file with OpenOffice many times. I'll try what you suggest. Thanks.

 

It's opening all the files now (except one that is p'word protected), but as soon as it opens this Office 365 offer pops up, just like before. Maybe if I uninstall MS Office365, it would open my O.O. files?

 

I uninstall Microsoft Office 365 on most of the new computers for my clients as they are not in the market for expensive software. The latest OpenOffice I installed no longer had support for Works files. There has been some consternation shown that Apache is not as interested in further development of it.

 

I'll tell you what I did. First I uninstalled the MS 6-9 convertor and then I uninstalled MS Office 365 (which is what I think really resolved my issue). Now all my O.O. files open as before. The MS Works files still won't open, but they're not very important, although I would like to be able to open them, if there's a way to do this without all the problems I had yesterday. Thanks again for your assistance.

 

That's why I prefer LibreOffice. Both LibreOffice and OpenOffice [now Apache OpenOffice] have their roots in the old Star Office from back in Sun Micro days.

 

I can understand you reluctance to try LibreOffice again after your experiences last time. However, there is a version that does not require an install and won't change your default associations or icons - the Portable Apps version. All its install does is unpack the files to a folder of your choice, it could even be on a USB stick if you wish.
LibreOffice Portable | PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB, portable and cloud drives

 

Before I go any further, will LibreOffice open .wps (MS Works) and OpenOffice files. If it definitely will, I may take a chance on it. You know how it is...once burned twice shy.

 

That's why I suggested the Portable Apps version.

LibreOffice (Supported file formats) - Wikipedia (and click the [show] link)

 

Yes, LibreOffice should open the OpenOffice files, mine did when I was running version 3 of both.

 

I'm on my laptop right now. I may try to download LibreOffice when I get back to my desktop if you're sure it won't interfere with OpenOffice and will open my MS Works files.