# MS Word problem

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-problem/325208>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 7, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-problem/325208 "2005-10-07T15:56:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-problem/325208/1 "2005-10-07T15:56:21Z")

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When my user double clicks a .DOC file in Win 98 Office 2000, Word opens, but with no document. She has to go to FILES OPEN.  
Any ideas?  
Thanks

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**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-problem/325208/2 "2005-10-07T16:37:28Z")

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The problem could be with your file association settings. Try this:

Open Windows Explorer (i.e., My Computer, My Documents, or some other folder with files in it).

Then you need to get to “Folder Options.” In WinXP, it’s **Tools \> Folder Options**. I can’t remember exactly where it was in Win98, but i think it might be **View \> Options** or something like that.

Anyway, once you’re in the folder options section, click on the tab that says **File Types**. You’ll need to wait a moment while Windows constructs a list of registered file types. Find the .doc (MS Word document) file type and select it.

You should see a button that says **Advanced** or **Edit** or something similar. It’s **Advanced** on WinXP, but i think Win98 had something different. When you click on the button, you will see a list of actions. Make sure that the selected action is **Open** , not **New** , and then click the **Set default** button.

Click **OK** to finish.

If that doesn’t work, i’m afraid i’m out of ideas.

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**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-problem/325208/3 "2005-10-07T21:08:32Z")

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DDE wouldn’t configure without an error.  
I reinstalled Office and all is well.  
Thanks for the help.