How to Open Microsoft Word as a Desktop App Instead of Edge
Question details
The user wants to open Microsoft Word as a standalone desktop application rather than using the web version within the Microsoft Edge browser.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening Microsoft Word documents or launching the application.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word opens in the Microsoft Edge browser instead of launching as a standalone desktop application.
Ensure you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription that includes desktop apps, as basic plans only offer the web version.
Install and Launch the Microsoft Word Desktop Application
Download the desktop version of Office from your Microsoft 365 account and launch it directly from your system.
If Word is opening in Microsoft Edge, it usually means the desktop application is not installed on your system or the file associations are incorrect. Installing the desktop suite resolves this.
Go to the Microsoft 365 website and sign in with the account associated with your active subscription.
Click on the 'Install Office' or 'Install apps' button on the dashboard to download the installation file.
Open the downloaded setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install Microsoft Word and other Office applications on your computer.
Once installed, open your computer's Start menu (or Applications folder on Mac), search for 'Word', and click to open the desktop application directly.
If Word documents continue to open in Microsoft Edge after installation, restart your computer to apply the newly installed application defaults.
Use WPS Office to Open Documents Directly on Your Desktop
If your Microsoft 365 subscription does not include desktop apps, or you want to avoid browser-based editors, WPS Office provides a complete, free desktop suite that opens DOCX files locally.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free desktop suite.
- 2. Set as Default: Set WPS Office as your default application to open Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files natively.
- 3. Open and Edit: Double-click any document to open it immediately in the WPS Writer desktop application instead of a web browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Word documents default to opening in Microsoft Edge?
This usually happens if the Microsoft Word desktop application is not installed, or if your default file associations for .docx files are set to Microsoft Edge instead of the Word app.
How do I change the default app for Word documents on Windows?
Right-click a Word document, select 'Open with' > 'Choose another app', pick Microsoft Word or WPS Office from the list, and check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .docx files'.
Can I use the Word desktop app for free?
The official Microsoft Word desktop application requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription. If you need a free desktop alternative, you can download WPS Office to edit your documents offline without opening a browser.
