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How to Open and Save Office 2010 DOCX Files in Microsoft 365
Question details
The user wants to open and locally save DOCX files originally created in Word 2010 using Microsoft 365, but faces issues where Windows attempts to associate the files with or reinstall the older Word 2010 version.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening legacy Office 2010 DOCX files in Microsoft 365 and saving them to a local folder instead of OneDrive.
- Observed behavior
- When attempting to open a DOCX file, Windows associates it with the older Word 2010 application, sometimes triggering a reinstall prompt instead of opening it directly in Microsoft 365.
Ensure that Microsoft 365 is successfully installed and activated on your computer, and close any currently open Word documents before proceeding.
Perform an Online Repair for Microsoft 365
Use this solution to fix file association issues so that DOCX files automatically open in Microsoft 365 instead of triggering Word 2010.
When older versions of Office were previously installed, Windows may incorrectly keep the .docx file extension associated with the old application. Running an Online Repair will refresh these registry mappings and point all document formats to your new Microsoft 365 installation.
Click the Start button, type 'Control Panel' or 'Settings', and navigate to the 'Apps' or 'Programs and Features' section.
Scroll through the list of installed applications until you find 'Microsoft 365 Apps' or 'Microsoft Office'.
Click on the application, select 'Modify' or 'Change', choose the 'Online Repair' option, and click 'Repair' to restore the correct file associations.
Save Documents to a Local Folder
Use this method if Microsoft 365 defaults to saving your files to OneDrive and you prefer to keep them stored locally on your hard drive.
Open All DOCX Files Smoothly with WPS Office
If you are tired of dealing with file association conflicts, complicated Office repairs, or forced OneDrive saves, WPS Office provides a perfectly compatible, lightweight alternative. It opens Office 2010 and modern DOCX files instantly, letting you work directly on your local drive without hassle.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package and follow the prompts to install it on your computer.
- 2. Open Your DOCX File: Right-click your Office 2010 DOCX file, select 'Open with', and choose WPS Office to view and edit your document immediately.
- 3. Save Locally with Ease: Press Ctrl+S or click 'Menu' > 'Save As' to securely save your document to any local folder on your PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to convert Office 2010 DOCX files to use them in Microsoft 365?
No conversion is necessary. The .docx extension is a standard file format fully supported by both Office 2010 and Microsoft 365. They can be opened, edited, and saved directly in current Word versions.
Why does Windows try to install Word 2010 when I open a document?
This occurs because the Windows registry still associates the .docx file extension with the older Office 2010 application. Performing an Online Repair for Microsoft 365 will update these registry keys and resolve the conflict.
How can I stop Microsoft 365 from saving to OneDrive by default?
To save files locally, open your document in Word, navigate to File > Save As, and choose 'Browse' or 'This PC' to select a local folder on your computer's hard drive.
