READING & EDITING .DOC FILES UNDER WINDOWS XP USING WORDPAD, ETC. ref. download files ... EnableLegacyConverters_ON.txt EnableLegacyConverters_OFF.txt EnableLegacyConverters-forReadingDocFiles_Directions.txt (this file) Quite a lot of information on Apple II websites, other sites, and on-disk is in .doc files. However, the .doc file format allows including pictures, which can lead to hacker vulnerability. Once this was discovered by Microsoft, updates to XP switched OFF the legacy converters which allow reading and editing .doc files via such handy apps as WordPad. The mod described here uses a simple .reg file script to modify the Windows registry to turn legacy converters ON so that you may conveniently display and read .doc files. Should you wish to return the legacy converters to OFF, there is a .reg file script to return legacy converters to OFF. Note that, under XP, when a .doc file is saved from WordPad, etc. it will be in .rtf format whether or not the filename still carries the .doc suffix. Note: Use at your own risk! Originally obtained at ... http://helpdesk.graniteschools.org/docs/Document.asp?ID=177 * *no longer active at last check Note: Microsoft warning regarding vulnerabilities: Warning- This workaround may make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. ref. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=870883 ENABLE LEGACY CONVERTERS (turn ON) 1- DOWNLOAD EnableLegacyConverters_ON.txt from GSWV at ... http://apple2.org.za/gswv/a2zine/Utils/ FILE CONTENT will be this Text: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Wordpad] "EnableLegacyConverters"=dword:00000001 2- AFTER DOWNLOADING, change the file name to ... EnableLegacyConverters_ON.reg 3- DOUBLE-CLICK the file name and click "Yes" at the prompt. You should now be able to access .doc files using WordPad. UNENABLE LEGACY CONVERTERS (turn OFF) After the above, should you wish to disable the legacy converters ... 1- DOWNLOAD EnableLegacyConverters_OFF.txt from GSWV at ... http://apple2.org.za/gswv/a2zine/Utils/ FILE CONTENT will be this Text: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Wordpad] "EnableLegacyConverters"=dword:00000000 2- AFTER DOWNLOADING, change the file name to ... EnableLegacyConverters_OFF.reg 3- DOUBLE-CLICK the file name and click "Yes" at the prompt. You should no longer be able to access .doc files using WordPad. I've used this method on a Windows XP system. Seems to work fine. Rubywand April 2009