Terrygordon
asked on
set office 2007 as default in windows 8.1
Hi All
I am running Windows 8.1, which has office 2013 as the default office suite. However, I also have office 2007 installed on my system and this is the version (especially Word and Excel 2007) that I prefer to use. These work fine when I launch the applications and open a file from within the programme. But when I double click on a Word or Excel document in a folder, it launches by default in the 2013 version, with all the usual stuff about 'subscription expired', etc.
How do I make Office 2007 the default for opening Word and Excel files?
I have tried right clicking and 'open with', but Word and Excel 2007 do not appear as options. I have also launched the 'default programs' app and they don't appear on this list either.
More of a nuisance than a showstopper, I know, but any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Terry
I am running Windows 8.1, which has office 2013 as the default office suite. However, I also have office 2007 installed on my system and this is the version (especially Word and Excel 2007) that I prefer to use. These work fine when I launch the applications and open a file from within the programme. But when I double click on a Word or Excel document in a folder, it launches by default in the 2013 version, with all the usual stuff about 'subscription expired', etc.
How do I make Office 2007 the default for opening Word and Excel files?
I have tried right clicking and 'open with', but Word and Excel 2007 do not appear as options. I have also launched the 'default programs' app and they don't appear on this list either.
More of a nuisance than a showstopper, I know, but any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
Terry
If you install them oldest-to-newest, you'll again be stuck with 2013 as the Default Program.
If Office 2007 does NOT appear on the list of available programs when you try to set the defaults, I'd suggest you reinstall 2007. When you do this, be sure to select to install it in a directory OTHER than the default - this will force Windows to recognize 2007 as a distinct program, and it should then show on your listings.
Also be sure that 2007 is fully up to date, along with Windows.
If Office 2007 does NOT appear on the list of available programs when you try to set the defaults, I'd suggest you reinstall 2007. When you do this, be sure to select to install it in a directory OTHER than the default - this will force Windows to recognize 2007 as a distinct program, and it should then show on your listings.
Also be sure that 2007 is fully up to date, along with Windows.
It is not recommended to install different version of office suite on same machine.
If you want to install, you need to follow below order. So, the default program for MS office suite will be 2007 version.
1. MS Office 2007
2. MS Office 2013.
Ref Url: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2784668
Thanks,
Pandit....
If you want to install, you need to follow below order. So, the default program for MS office suite will be 2007 version.
1. MS Office 2007
2. MS Office 2013.
Ref Url: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2784668
Thanks,
Pandit....
You can select them on the open with list with a little more effort. Just browse to the executables in the path of office 12.
It is fine to install multiple versions of Office on the same machine, so long as you do so correctly. I've got every version since Access 97 installed on my machine. The link that Pandit provided basically says exactly that - it's okay to do so, with the caveat that multiple versions are not supported in Terminal services (which is not relevant to the question).
However, you should not use more than one version at a time - so if you've opened a database in Access 2003, don't try to also open a database in 2010. If you must work concurrently in different versions, you should use something like virtual machines to install different versions.
However, you should not use more than one version at a time - so if you've opened a database in Access 2003, don't try to also open a database in 2010. If you must work concurrently in different versions, you should use something like virtual machines to install different versions.
I recommend only one version of Office (although I understand the comments above). You cannot install 2 Outlooks on the same machine so I hope you have not tried to install Outlook 2007.
Then, anything that can be done with Word and Excel 2007 can be done with Word and Excel 2013.
I use virtual machines to run multiple copies of Office and I find that works a lot better.
Then, anything that can be done with Word and Excel 2007 can be done with Word and Excel 2013.
I use virtual machines to run multiple copies of Office and I find that works a lot better.
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Before points are awarded, you should try and give feedback on all options we showed you. What about mine, for example ;) ?
ASKER
Hi McKnife
I'm sure your solution would work but it is a lot of hassle - basically I just want to be able to double click on the file.
Regards
Terry
I'm sure your solution would work but it is a lot of hassle - basically I just want to be able to double click on the file.
Regards
Terry
Yes, that's exactly what I try to help you with. Look at this screen, please:
Check the box as shown and click on "look for another app on this pc" and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12\winword.ex
ASKER
Hi McKnife
I've tried this, but all I get is a message saying 'this app can't run on your pc' - but I know it does, I use it every day.
Regards
Terry
I've tried this, but all I get is a message saying 'this app can't run on your pc' - but I know it does, I use it every day.
Regards
Terry
I don't have 2007 or I would try. Hmm, no clue.
I've tried this, but all I get is a message saying 'this app can't run on your pc' - but I know it does, I use it every day.Sounds like troubles with your installation of Windows or Office. Be sure everything is up to date, including any needed hotfixes or patches.
ASKER
The other solutions either didn't work or required more effort than simply accessing the files from the 'open' dialog. My own solution solves the issue as long as the appropriate version of Excel or Word is already open.
If you have to have MS Office 2013 installed then try to "Default Programs" and "Associate a File Type or Protocol With a Program" and associate .xls, .xlsx or what you need with MS Office 2007 (excel 2007 has different path to excel.exe as excel 2013 has)
Also it is recommanded by MS to install from oldest to newest version of Office if multiple installations on one PC (so in this case if should be 2007 was installed prior 2013 version)