Most Searched
File Extensions

.DOCX Files

The .DOCX file extension is a new file type format used by the Microsoft Corporation in the 2007 edition of the Microsoft Office Suite. It has replaced the previous .DOC file extension. This new file format is an efficient, compressed and secured XML file.

Common Problems With .DOCX Files

Despite their ability to implement Open XML and ZIP technologies that create smaller files, the newest generation of Microsoft Word document files seem to still be prone to some common problems. These problems include:

  • being vulnerable to file corruption;

  • becoming "lost" by the Windows Registry;

  • susceptible to spyware or viruses; and,

  • compatibility with previous versions of MS Word.

The .DOCX file extension is also know to have problems associated with invalid instructions called within the Windows System Registry - in this case it is hard to determine if it is a specific problem with the.DOCX file type or the Windows Registry itself.

There have also been some instances where the .DOCX files used by Microsoft Word are not recognized when running as a domain user on Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise. This is unlike using a domain administrator account on MS Windows XP or Microsoft Office 2007 Enterprise. The issues seems to arise when you try to set file associations to the .DOCX extension and it is not reflected in the Windows registry. The result is that the operating system does not know which application to launch when opening these files.

Other Issues With .DOCX Files

At one time or another, you may have encountered the problem of corrupted templates and documents either in .DOC, .DOCX or .RTF formats. The damage caused to the file prevents MS Word being able to open it - the built-in tools of MS Word are also ineffective in recovering the contents of the file.

There are some third party applications that claim to be capable of recovering these damaged files. However, this may seem more as a cover up to the problem instead of a solution. The best way to resolve this problem is to maintain system integrity by implementing proper procedures to protect your Windows registry. This can be done through the use of registry cleaners and optimizers. You can also prevent corruption through frequent system scanning procedures with good anti-virus and anti-spyware tools. Having a good data recovery utility software installed is also a an excellent idea in case something unexptected occurs with the .DOCX file.

Opening .DOCX Files

If you are running the 2007 (or newer) Microsoft Office Suite then you will have no problems in opening a .DOCX file - assuming the software is installed correctly and you have no other hardware or operating system issues.

If you are using an older version of Microsoft Office then you will need to install a "compatibility pack" in order to edit and view the .DOCX file format. While the older version of MS Word cannot read the .DOXC file extension, the new version of Word does read the .DOC file extension and will allow you to save a .DOCX file as a .DOC file.

If you have the correct software installed and still cannot open a .DOCX file you may also be dealing with a totally different set of issues - a problem with the file association between the .DOCX file extension and MS Word. This would be the case if MS Word (or the compatibility pack) was installed correctly, but the file would still not open.

The missing file associations are usually caused by problems within the Windows Registry since this is where the configurations and settings of applications are stored. An easy and practical solution is to install a dependable registry cleaner and optimizer because this will ensure that .DOCX file associations are kept intact and references to other file types are always updated. Registry optimizers will also help maintain your computer system’s efficiency and prevent it from slowing down.

If you are still experiencing problems opening.DOCX files then it is recommended that you re-install Microsoft Word, or the compatibility pack, along with any "hotfixes", security patches and updates that your system may require.

If you are experiencing domain use issues: this problem is generally attributed to Windows registry key errors that require a patch program in order to correct the situation. The issue seems to come from the fact that Windows Registry is ignoring the association being made to the appropriate program. Patching the Registry corrects the problem in your account’s registry.

Security Risks With .DOCX Files

Be wary of opening .DOCX, or any other general file for that matter, sent by anonymous individuals as e-mail attachments or downloaded off the Internet. There have been cases where attachments disguised as .DOCX files were actually viruses that were waiting to be activated when the file was launched. Opening unknown .DOCX files can present the danger of virus or malware infection. Before opening one of these file extensions ensure it comes from a source you trust, that you have good anti-virus, anti-spyware, spam controls, privacy software, a registry cleaner and trusted data recovery tools activated and protecting your system.

Be sure to regularly scan attachments and all files in your computer system with an up to date anti-virus application or anti-spyware software , and ensure that it is really safe to open the .DOCX file.

Featured Software

REPAIR and OPEN
unknown files
with FileCure!