Windows 10: Word 2003 won't work.. any way to fix it?

Since installing Win10 I can't get 2003 Office Word to work.

It won't make links for email and web addresses, the wrong toolbars come up again and again, and it generally doesn't work.

Any way to fix this? I have tried with two different 2003 Office programmes, re-installing, but no luck.

Thanks

:)

 

Viewing shortcut destinations in Save As dialogue

Thanks for your reply. I'm using Office 2003. 'All Files' isn't an option in my Save as Type dropdown in Word, Excel or Outlook. Any way to fix that?

 

E65 Quick Office

it won't read these files

from the word 2007 use the option 'save as' 'Word 97 - 2003 Document'

 

I don't know if this is the solution, but I think that Office 2003 is so old that it works but has errors because of Compatibility. I had this same problem, so bought a subscription to Office 2016 and it all worked fine!

 

There are others who claim Office 2003 is working ok in Windows 10.

However, technically speaking, and from the now defunct Windows Compatibility Center, MS Office 2003 is NOT compatible.

Here is a reply from another forum...........................

Which versions of Microsoft Office are officially supported Windows 10?

excerpt :
Older versions of Office such as Office 2003 and Office XP are not certified compatible with Windows 10 but might work using compatibility mode.

 

Definitely a good answer.

 

A pity, as I have no need for the new Office and hate the ribbons - still use Office 97 which works fine!


Thanks

 

You are welcome.

Sorry for the bad news.

 

Hi there

Of course there's always a way to fix these types of problems.

I'd install W7 / W8 / W8.1 /XP or Vista (your choice) as a Virtual Machine --then Office 2003 will work like a charm. Running a VM these days doesn't use a huge amount of resources -- in fact for "Officy" type programs it's ideal --saves all sorts of compatibility problems and you can always turn the VM off when you don't need it.

Even on a modest 4GB laptop you should be able to support 1 VM. Use VBOX (free) for running the VM.

Powering up a VM is cheaper than buying new Office software - especially if you aren't using all the bells and whistles in the latest offerings - and all the old document formats are readable by people with the new formats. You can get READERS (FREE) for the new office formats too if you stay with the older versions.

Cheers
jimbo

 

I have Office 2003 running in Win 10 and don't have any of the issues you describe such as you state here: "It won't make links for email and web addresses, the wrong toolbars come up again and again, and it generally doesn't work."

My advice would be do do a clean install of Win 10, then install Office 2003.

 

Yes, its seems that Win10 is corrupted somehow.....
thanks

 

I have not upgraded my windows 8.1 desktop to Windows 10 just yet - just a little hesitant about doing so. Yes, I know, I need to do it soon if I want the free upgrade. Anyway, I was concerned about MS Office running with Windows 10 since it supposedly is not compatible so I downloaded and installed Libre Office and have been getting use to using that free office program. I can't see paying MS for the new Office program when there is nothing wrong with Office 2003 and I simply can't afford to purchase a new office program.

Anyway, it has taken a little bit of getting use to LibreOffice, but for a free program it isn't bad and you can still open office programs in Libre Office and save in that format if you prefer (which is what I have been doing). Just a thought if you have an issue with windows 10 and office 97 or 2003 playing nice together.

 

Thanks, I have tried Libre and it is very good.

 

I have tried Office 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013 & 2016 on Win 10 (as well as LibreOffice, OpenOffice and WPS Office). All seem to work fine for me.