Open DOCX files

  • Full name
    Microsoft Word 2007/2010 Open XML Document Format
  • Developer
    Microsoft
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a DOCX file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a DOCX file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your DOCX file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is DOCX file?

The file extension DOCX is the latest version of the Microsoft Word doc file format. The DOCX format will be supported starting with the 2007 version of the worldwide word processing program. The file extension DOCX simply means Document Xml, ie a document in XML format.

More info

A DOCX file contains, as well as the old doc files in addition to texts and formatting instructions also pictures and graphics. It can not contain macros. Files with macros automatically receive the extension docm.

DOCX is an XML based file format (Office Open XML) that is not legible with older versions of Word. For the Office versions 2000, 2003 and XP, however, this functionality can be retrofitted using the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack, whereby the result of a read-in DOCX file does not always have to be 100% identical to the original.

Office Open XML is an open standard developed by Microsoft for office applications, which is intended to ensure the file exchange between different office suites.

A DOCX file consists of several XML files, which are automatically summarized as archives when saved using the ZIP algorithm. This saves space compared to the old format. Other benefits include better data integrity and easier data recovery in the event of data loss.

Programs which can open a DOCX file

How to open file with DOCX extension?

In order to open a file with DOCX extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening DOCX file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with DOCX files, follow the instructions below.
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Install Microsoft Word or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening DOCX files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support DOCX files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of DOCX files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Microsoft Word as the default program for opening DOCX files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate DOCX files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Microsoft Word applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Microsoft Word has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with DOCX files

Sometimes problems with opening DOCX files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • DOCX files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open DOCX files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • DOCX file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

Possible conversions of DOCX file

Similar extensions