File Format & Compatibility

How to Fix DOCX Files Opening in Notepad Instead of Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to open DOCX files correctly because they automatically launch in Notepad, displaying scrambled content, and the option to always open with Word is missing.

Product: Microsoft Word 2013
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Double-clicking newly created or downloaded DOCX documents from the Windows File Explorer.
Observed behavior: Files open in Notepad instead of Microsoft Word, showing unreadable characters, and the default app association is broken with no 'Always' option visible.

Before you start

Verify that Microsoft Office 2013 is still installed on your Windows 11 computer, as Windows updates can occasionally disrupt older software installations.

Solution 1Recommended

Perform a Quick Repair of Microsoft Office

Running a Quick Repair resets the default file associations and restores Word as the primary handler for DOCX files.

Windows 11 settings may sometimes lose track of file extensions for older versions of Office like Student 2013. The built-in Quick Repair tool will scan your Office installation and rebuild the correct registry keys without requiring an internet connection.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start button and select 'Settings' (the gear icon), then navigate to 'Apps' > 'Installed apps'.

Locate Microsoft Office

Scroll down or use the search bar to find 'Microsoft Office Student 2013' in the app list.

Run Quick Repair

Click the three dots next to the Office application, select 'Modify', choose 'Quick Repair', and click 'Repair' to begin the process.

Restart Required: After the repair finishes, restart your computer to ensure all file association changes take effect.

Solution 2

Open the File Directly from Word

Use this as a reliable workaround if you need immediate access to your document while troubleshooting the system associations.

Solution 3

Re-register Word via the Run Dialog

Forcing Word to re-register itself can instantly fix missing shortcut associations and restore it to the 'Open with' menu.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office to Open and Edit DOCX Files Seamlessly

If your older version of Microsoft Word continues to have compatibility and file association issues on Windows 11, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that opens Microsoft DOCX files smoothly.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office from the official website.
2. Set as Default: Right-click any DOCX file, select 'Open with' > 'Choose another app', select WPS Office, and check 'Always use this app'.

Perfectly compatible with Microsoft Office DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX formatsLightweight installation that runs smoothly on Windows 11Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate tabbed interfaceEasily set as the default application to bypass Windows association errors

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Word documents look like scrambled text in Notepad?

Notepad is a plain text editor and cannot interpret the complex XML formatting and media embedded in a DOCX file. When it tries to read the file, it displays the formatting codes as unreadable, scrambled characters.

How do I force Windows 11 to always open DOCX with Word?

Right-click the DOCX file, select 'Open with' > 'Choose another app'. If Word is listed, click it, check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .docx files', and click 'OK'.

What should I do if Microsoft Word is missing from the 'Open with' list?

If Word is missing, you can click 'Choose another app', scroll down, and select 'Choose an app on your PC'. Navigate to 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15' (for Office 2013) and select 'WINWORD.EXE'.

Document & File Issues