Microsoft Word - all files corrupted?

Question

I came in to work day before yesterday and noted that virtually all files in Microsoft Word would not open, giving me a corrupted file error message.  I can, however, create new files that seem to be fine.

I am on a Dell PC running XP.

I have tried the following steps without success:

1. System Restore (could not be restored)
2. System Restore in safe mode
3. re-installed Microsoft Office
4. ran various spyware and virus programs
5. tried repairing the files from both within Word and with a couple of free programs designed to fix corrupted word files (both programs crashed when trying to repair).

Everything else about my computer seems to work normally.

We use the program Dropbox to allow files to be shared among us who work here, so I tried opening some files at home and also downloading some files from Dropbox.com and they were corrupted too.

Any ideas beyond just starting over?

Thanks

Maria · Answer

BEST ANSWER:

This happens when you accidentally open an old version with a new Microsoft version.
In my case, I am using 2003 Microsoft Office, and it somehow opened with 2010 version. This caused all files to go into "corrupted" mode. The new corrupted logo, looks like Yellow/orange folder (2010 version) instead of the regular blue "W" logo (2003 version).

SOLUTION

Pick any Word document "corrupted" they look yellow instead of the regular blue Word document logo. RIGHT CLICK
Go to "Properties"
"Open with"  Word (choose the version you are currently in) - my case, I chose the Blue "W" logo

If you are NOT sure what version you are currently in, go to the HELP tab and scroll down to the end to "About Microsoft" it will tell you what version you are in. If you can not open Word, open any other Excel or other documents among the Microsoft Office family you currently have.

? · Answer

open yur docs in safe mode. that usualy brings them up.

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Microsoft Word - all files corrupted?

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