Administrator Updated on January 2, 2023 Have you upgraded to Windows 10 and suddenly find your Microsoft Office files can't be opened? This guide will take you through those simple steps of how to open old Microsoft Office files in Windows 10.
Microsoft has released Windows 10, making it available to the public since last July 2015. It is the latest successor to Windows 8.1. It is available in two options: the 32-bit and the 64-bit. Many key features and updates are notable such as the different color modes, introducing the EdgeHTML, which is a default web browser, Universal Apps, which include Photos, Music, Maps, etc., live wallpapers, adding emojis using the keyboard, updates on Microsoft Office Applications, and many more.
However, with the recent advancements, it is inevitable to have compatibility issues when using old Microsoft Office files in Windows 10. Aside from being unable to open access to old files in the new Windows 10, issues such as disappearing old files and folders are common. According to WindowsReport, these files could have been hidden accidentally and easily fixed with a few clicks. This happens because Windows 10 uses the previous versions of templates in creating new documents.
But, there is an easy solution for this dilemma. One could turn off Microsoft Office's Compatibility mode, which guarantees accessibility to files made by different or older versions of any Microsoft Office Application.
Solving File Compatibility Issues on the New Windows 10
Here is a step-by-step guide that you could follow to access your old files in the new Windows 10:
Open the Microsoft Office Application
By opening any Microsoft Office Application such as Word, Excel, or Powerpoint, you should be able to notice that the words [Compatibility Mode] appear beside the File name. This only means that the Compatibility Mode is running, making old files made under the older versions of Windows inaccessible in the Windows 10 Microsoft Office. After confirming that the Compatibility Mode is running, we will proceed to turn it off.
Close Microsoft Word and click on the Windows key and the letter R simultaneously
Click on the Windows Key and the letter R simultaneously. After doing so, you should be able to see a tab similar to the one below. In the textbox where the word open is adjacently located, type %appdata% and press Enter.
You will be redirected to the Roaming folder
After clicking the OK button or simply pressing the Enter key after typing the %appdata%, you will be redirected to the Roaming folder. Look for the Microsoft folder and click on it.
After clicking on the Microsoft Folder, Click on Templates and open it
You will notice many folders under the Microsoft folder; click on the "Templates" folder to open it.
Locate the "Normal.dotm" file and rename it
After locating the "Normal.dotm" file, rename it into "OldNormal.dotm". However, if the file is named "Normal," rename it into "OldNormal".
After following this step-by-step guide, you have entirely disabled Compatibility Mode on the Microsoft Word Application—this means that you can open, edit, and access old Microsoft Files on any of the updated Windows 10 Microsoft Office Applications.
To check if you completely disabled the Compatibility Mode or simply work, open the Microsoft Word App and check if the [Compatibility Mode] usually located beside the Document name is removed. If it is, then, voila, you will not encounter any problems opening old files in Windows 10.
Final Words
Although there might be compatibility issues with your files if you intend to upgrade to Windows 10, the solution for it is quite simple. You can follow the comprehensive steps mentioned above. Besides, it's not much of a hassle because you will eventually need to convert your files to be compatible with the latest OS to keep up with technology's advancements.
