Need help: Coexistence of Word 2007 with Office 2024

Discussion in 'Microsoft Office' started by kibkalo, Aug 28, 2024.

  1. kibkalo

    kibkalo MDL Expert

    Sep 8, 2009
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    I need help with the following problem
    My customer has an old VisualFoxpro application, designed to work with Word 2007.
    If I install any newer version of Word, built-in reports form an incorrect document (tables are broken), thus we use Word 2007.
    Application calls Word via CLSID, so I can't use portable.

    I am able to first install Office 2024 (or 2016/2019/2021) and add Word 2007 later. It works from my app. And I am able to run Word 2024, clicking on its icon.
    But .DOC and .DOCX are now open in Word 2007
    Even if I delete HKCR .doc and .docx and do "Open with" specifying Program files\Microsoft Office\root]Office16\winword.exe as app to open, it starts Word 2007.
    While opening this winword.exe from explorer runs Word 2024.

    Question What can I do so that a "Create document" CLSID still points to 2007, while file association for .DOC and .DOCX runs Word 2024.

    Thanks!
     
  2. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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  3. kibkalo

    kibkalo MDL Expert

    Sep 8, 2009
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    Thanks.
    Do you say that running Word 2007 and Word 2016 (or 2024) side by side is not supported?
    I was sure that only Outlook (and probably Skype/Teams) is the app that doesn't support few versions.
    I can install them two without any tricks, and they both work - if I run icon to start app.
    But if I want to open document with "Open with" and specify winword.exe of 2024, it still runs 2007
    My question was how to change the default app for a filetype if both are present.
     
  4. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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    @kibkalo
    Well, in this case, you can use "Open with..." or specify the type of document, for example open .doc with Office 2007 and .docx with newer Office.
     
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  5. kibkalo

    kibkalo MDL Expert

    Sep 8, 2009
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    Exactly! That is the point!
    I select WinWord.exe of Office 2024 when use use "Open with..." and it still runs Word 2007!
    But if I run Winword.exe from explorer standalone (not "Open with..."), it runs 2024.
     
  6. kaljukass

    kaljukass MDL Guru

    Nov 26, 2012
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    Then I'm out of ideas, but I believe there is still some solution.
    But at the moment, I can't think of anything smart right away.
     
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  7. kibkalo

    kibkalo MDL Expert

    Sep 8, 2009
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    Have you ever tried having two different versions of Office - MSI and C2R installed?
    Is it possible to "Open" .doc file with one version and "Open with" another?