Hi. I just got a new computer with Windows 8.1 a few days ago after my Windows 7

Question

Hi. I just got a new computer with Windows 8.1 a few days ago after my Windows 7 Home Premium died. I had an external hard drive and was able to get my files back. I had Microsoft office Home student 2007 on my old computer. The new computer came with a trial of Office 365, but I did not open it. I installed my office 2007 onto the new computer. Several of my files have changed types. Some that were Microsoft word processor docs are now word files. I don't mind that, as long as they open and are in tact. One in particular I created in Excel, and is an XLR file. I keep getting an error message when I try to open it. It says "This app can't run on your pc. To find a version with your pc, check with the software publisher." I have tried to do a little troubleshooting. I even uninstalled the Office 365 trial that came with my computer and restarted the computer numerous times, but cannot get the file to open. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to have to buy another version of Office. Thanks.   

Explanation / Answer

Depending upon the version of Microsoft Works that the XLR were created in, you may be able to open them using OpenOffice. OpenOffice is a free, full function suite of office application; word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, etc. Some of the later Works file formats can be opened by Calc, the spreadsheet app.

If you have uninstalled the 365 Trial, perform a repair on the Office 2007 installation. There are similarly named companion files (e,g, .DLLs) of various versions that may have been fouled.

If the repair process does provide some satisfaction, you can use the OffCAT Analyser to check for known problems with your Office 2007 installation.

If you cannot determine or feel you need guidance to safely proceed with a suggested resolution to a located problem, post back with a progress report. Include any pertinent information gathered through OffCAT in your inquiry; in particular the Critical section of the scan report.

Addendum: the .XLR Works spreadsheet should open in your Office 2007 but I would not put too much faith in that format being supported too much longer. I would recommend getting everything up to an .XLSX level.

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