Every now and then, someone emails a document with a .WPS extension. .WPS files are word processor documents created by Microsoft Works, and whenever I get one of these, I feel like someone just handed me a cassette tape with their demo on it—come on, this isn’t 1980 man! Where am I supposed to find something to play this thing?
Anyway, if you’re like me, and you have Microsoft Word 2007 or Microsoft Word 2010 on your computer but no time machine to take you back to the year 1991 so you can run Microsoft Works, that .WPS file will be about as useful to you as a wax cylinder full of piano rags. But instead of firing back a snarky email to the person who sent you the .WPS (or perhaps a fax would get through to them in the old-fashioned manner they are accustomed to) asking them to re-send the file in a format suitable for the 21st century, you can do the polite thing and convert it which is exactly what I’ll show you how to do in this groovyTutorial.
But first, let me show you how not to convert your .WPS file:
PSA: Do Not Use Zamzar
Google “Convert WPS to DOC” and your top hit is going to be Zamzar.com. I’ve used Zamzar in the past, and it’s a pretty good service. But I don’t like that they collect your email address. They promise that they won’t rent or sell your personal information but intentions are one thing and being targeted by hackers is another.
I’m not saying that Zamzar isn’t as good a steward of your personal data as they say they are, I’m just advocating not taking any undue risks. It’s also best practice not to be uploading any potentially sensitive documents, even if Zamzar does offer encryption. Finally, it’s sort of a pain to have to wait 10 to 15 minutes for Zamzar to convert your file and email it to you.
The Easy Way to Open WPS Files in Microsoft Word
Never use a third-party service when there’s an official solution. That’s my motto. And with the .WPS issue, there is one. It’s called the Microsoft Works 6-9 File Converter and you can download it for free from Microsoft.
Step 1
Download and install the Microsoft Works 6-9 File Converter. This is pretty straightforward, just run the .MSI and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 2
After the installation is complete, locate one of those pesky .wps files and Double-click it.
Step 3
This will bring up a dialog that reads “Windows can’t open this file: ….” It’ll continue on, saying, “To open this file, Windows needs to know what program you want to use to open it,” etc., etc.
Choose the second option: Select a program from a list of installed programs and Click OK.
Step 4
In the Open with… dialog, Select Microsoft Word. Check Always use the selected program to open this kind of file and Click OK.
Step 5
Enjoy your .WPS file in Microsoft Word. If you feel like saving it in another format, just Click File > Save as… and choose a different format.
Problem fixed—permanently! Now, all you have to Double-click .WPS files in Windows Explorer to open them. No more uploading your junk to Zamzar.
[Featured image adapted from work by Jenn]
Hello Jack,
Thank you for the article. It was very helpful. My 60 year old mother still uses Works and calls me about once a month with these types of issues. What I was looking for was a way for her to convert the works files into word rather than having the recipient do the converting. I don’t think that this is possible without her having actually having Word. Do you know of any solutions other than me shelling out the $100 to buy Word? She rarely uses the computer and only needs Word and email.
Thanks, Jill
You can also use OpenOffice which is free to download and very compatible with Office.
U can try open libreoffice Jill. Its the open source solution to your problem.
Sorry typo just libreoffice. Not open libreoffice lol
Thank you so much for this info. It really helped and you made it easy for this ‘ol gal to get those old files open.
thanks it worked great.
Dude. Thank you! So fine.
When I double-click one of my wsp files as instructed in Step 2 for the 6-9 convert, Word just opens the document!
How do you convert Works spreadsheet and database documents to Word or Excel? I tried making Word tables out of my Works spreadsheets but the data doesn’t fit, even with adjusting the columns, making the font smaller, etc.
Failed. Downloaded both works 4 and 6-9 converters and still tells me I need a more current version.
is Doxillion a good program to download to convert works files to word files? I need a program that is the best but also free!
That would be lovely, save that apparently the converter isn’t compatible with my system for SOME reason. So I can’t install that converter. Ugh. Back to goggle..
Absolutely Brilliant, Thank You. I’ve been trying to upload my CV to varios Temp Agencies without success until I had your help. Adam Gibson.
Downloaded to microsoft 6-9 converter but ultimately a message box that is titled ‘usage’ appears with a list of stuff I can’t understand but I click ‘OK’ anyway but nothing changes
I tried following your instructions (which I think are awesome the way you put them together) but was unable to open up any of my wps documents. I get a pop up window saying that “there is not enough memory or disk spce to convert this document” which is bogus since there is plenty of memory available. What do I do ?
Do you get that error when you try all WPS documents, or just the one?
Do you have multiple versions of Office installed?
I get the error message with all of the wps docs. Looking back on it, I thought they were all word docs, could there be a virus or something that was done that converted all the word to wps ?
The only other thing I can think of is reinstalling the converter. Make sure you uninstall any other versions of Office, including trial versions before you install the converter.
If you’d like, you can send me one of the WPS files and I can try it. Or you can try Zamzar with one of your files. If it works, you know there’s nothing wrong with the file.
I downloaded the converter in Windows 7. What seems to happen is you run the application and get the license agreement prompt (EULA). Acknowledged it then nothing happens.
I went into Word 2010 and tried opening the file – you need to change the file type to 6-9 converter. Then the wps file will appear. Click on it and it should open.
Save it as a word doc.
(Note, you may have to right click and select a compatibility mode for the converter applicaiton.)
Help => is there a converter version for MS-Works 3.0 or older => the recommended options in this only deal with MS-Works Converter 6-9 or MS-Works Converter 4.
My question : is there a converter available for MS-Works Converter 3 ?
Many Thy in davance
Thomas
I don’t know if I’m having a problem, or I’m not understanding something but I don’t have an MSI file, the download is .exe, and after I open it, says that it’s installing, and then closes. Help?
Excellent information. Question: is there any way to convert *multiple* works files into Word, instead of doing one file at a time, peacemeal. I’ve got hundreds of Works files saved from years ago! Any help would be really appreciated.
tnx,
Ron