How to open a .doc file
Quick, free ways to open DOC on any system.
A .doc file is a Microsoft Word 97-2003 Document. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads DOC yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .doc file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .doc. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with Microsoft Word or LibreOffice Writer.
- On Mac, use Microsoft Word or Pages.
- On Linux, try LibreOffice Writer or OnlyOffice.
- Still stuck? Convert the .doc to docx, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .doc files
Windows
- Microsoft Word
- LibreOffice Writer
- WPS Office
macOS
- Microsoft Word
- Pages
- LibreOffice Writer
Linux
- LibreOffice Writer
- OnlyOffice
Web
- Google Docs
- Microsoft 365 for the web
!
Before you open it: Mostly safe, but old .doc files can carry macros (VBA) that run code. Open unexpected documents with macros disabled, which is the default in modern Word.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .doc file?
Almost always because no installed app understands DOC. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
What is the difference between DOC and DOCX?
DOC is the older binary format (Word 97-2003). DOCX, from Word 2007 on, is a ZIP of XML: smaller, more robust and the current standard. Word opens both.
How do I open a .doc file?
Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Google Docs and Pages all open .doc. Any of them can also save it as the newer DOCX or as PDF.