File Format & Compatibility

How to Fix Word Documents Opening in WordPad Instead of Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user's DOCX files are opening in WordPad rather than Microsoft Word, and Word is missing from the list of available default applications on their Windows 11 laptop.

Product: Microsoft Word / Windows 11
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Trying to open DOCX files after uninstalling LibreOffice or when the Microsoft 365 trial may have expired.
Observed behavior: Word documents default to opening in WordPad, and Microsoft Word cannot be selected as the default application for DOCX files.

Before you start

Verify whether your Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 license is currently active, as expired trial versions often lose their file association capabilities on Windows 11.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Your Microsoft 365 Subscription Status

Resolve file association issues by ensuring your Microsoft Word software is fully licensed and active.

Pre-installed versions of Microsoft 365 on new laptops are often limited-time free trials. Once the trial expires, the software may lose its ability to act as the default application for document files, causing Windows to fall back to WordPad.

Open Microsoft Word

Launch Microsoft Word from your Windows Start menu.

Navigate to Account Settings

Click on 'Account' located in the bottom-left corner of the launch screen.

Check Subscription Status

Look under 'Product Information' to see if your subscription is active or requires renewal.

Renew if Necessary

If the trial has expired, purchase a license or subscribe to Microsoft 365 to restore full functionality and file associations.

Trial Expiration: An expired Microsoft 365 trial will automatically hide Microsoft Word from the default applications list in Windows 11.

Solution 2

Set an Alternative Office Suite as Default

If you do not wish to purchase a Microsoft 365 license, you can install a free office suite and associate it with DOCX files.

Solution 3

Repair the Microsoft Office Installation

If your license is active but Word still doesn't appear in default apps, repairing the installation can restore missing file associations.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Open Word Documents for Free

If your Microsoft 365 trial has expired and you don't want to pay for a subscription, WPS Office is a perfect, lightweight alternative. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats, so you can open, edit, and save DOCX files seamlessly without relying on the limited features of WordPad.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
2. Set File Associations: During installation, ensure you select the option to associate WPS Office with Word document formats (.docx, .doc).
3. Open Your Documents: Double-click any Word document on your Windows 11 computer to open it directly in the fully-featured WPS Office Writer.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word DOCX, DOC, and RTF file formats.Completely free to use for core document creation and editing.Lightweight installation that runs smoothly on all Windows 11 PCs.Familiar user interface that requires no learning curve to transition from Microsoft Word.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Microsoft Word missing from my 'Open with' list on Windows 11?

This usually happens if the pre-installed Microsoft 365 software was a free trial that has expired, or if the software's registry keys for file associations have become corrupted.

Can I continue using WordPad instead of Microsoft Word?

While WordPad can open basic text documents, it lacks advanced formatting features and may distort complex DOCX files. Additionally, Microsoft has announced the deprecation of WordPad in future Windows updates.

How do I manually force Windows 11 to use Word if it is installed but hidden?

You can right-click the file, select 'Open with' > 'Choose another app', scroll to the bottom, and click 'Choose an app on your PC'. Then navigate to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16 and select WINWORD.EXE.

Will uninstalling LibreOffice cause my files to open in WordPad?

Yes, if LibreOffice was set as your default document handler and is subsequently uninstalled, Windows will revert to its default fallback application for text documents, which is often WordPad.

Document & File Issues