File Extension DOC

Problems?

The majority of the problems with DOC file formats and with the majority of other file extensions are registry issues. Cleaning the computer registry will correct many of the conflicts with DOC file extensions. Issues with DOC file format? What would you like to do to fix the DOC files?

Scan computer for problems with DOC files: Free DOC Scan
Repair Registry conflicts with DOC files: DOC Reg Repair
I don't know, just fix it: Install Software

DOC File Extension Even if you don’t know much about file extension, you’ve probably used or seen the .doc file extension. It is one of the most commonly used extensions and denotes a document in Microsoft Word format. Microsoft Word is part of the MS Office Suite, which has over 500 million users. (Webmaster World)

The .doc file extension is one of the older extensions around, as it has been in use since the early 1980s. Originally used for WordPerfect documents, it became the extension for Word when Word appeared in the 1990s and has since become the most common type of text files. Although .doc files are basically text files, they may also include images, charts, graphs and tables. (File Info) Although .doc file formats are proprietary to Microsoft, they can be opened by third party software as well as Microsoft Office. On Windows, computers you can open .doc files with Word or Word Viewer, Open Office, and Nuance Omnipage Pro. Mac computers can open .doc files with Apple Pages, MS Word or Open Office. (File Info)

It is worth noting that Microsoft changed the file extension .doc to .docx with the release of Office 2007. This can cause problems if you receive a docx. file and do not have Office 2007 as Office 2003 and previous versions cannot open the new file types. Microsoft has developed a “Compatibility Pack” which you can download to allow older versions to read the new files. (Microsoft) Or if you have Office 2007 and plan on sharing files with someone who has an older version, Word offers you the option of saving your documents as a type “fully compatible with Word 97—2003”. (Cybernet News)

One of the issues you should be aware of when using .doc files is that they can be infected with viruses that can damage your computer. Use caution particularly when opening email attachments. And in some cases, unscrupulous hackers or malware author can disguise malware as .doc files. “Sometimes files which contain the .doc extension are actually malicious files masquerading as MS Word files.” (File Tonic) If you receive a .doc file and don’t know the sender, it’s best to not open it—just delete it immediately.

Opening DOC Files

DOC files have at least 12 way(s) to be opened. The DOC programs which open DOC files include: Word Document, BIFF File, DeskMate Document, DisplayWrite 4 File, Document or Documentation, FrameMaker/FrameBuilder Document, Interleaf Document Format, Mastercam Material Files, Maybe RTF, Palm Pilot DOC File Format, Perfect Office Document, Word DOT File