How to open a .wps file
Quick, free ways to open WPS on any system.
A .wps file is a Microsoft Works / WPS Office Document. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads WPS yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .wps file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .wps. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with WPS Office Writer or LibreOffice Writer (Works import).
- On Mac, use WPS Office Writer or LibreOffice Writer.
- On Linux, try WPS Office Writer or LibreOffice Writer.
- Still stuck? Convert the .wps to docx, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .wps files
Windows
- WPS Office Writer
- LibreOffice Writer (Works import)
- Microsoft Word (with Works converter)
macOS
- WPS Office Writer
- LibreOffice Writer
Linux
- WPS Office Writer
- LibreOffice Writer
!
Before you open it: Mostly safe. Both flavours are ordinary documents. As with any legacy Office-era file, be cautious with unexpected attachments from unknown senders.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .wps file?
Almost always because no installed app understands WPS. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I open an old Microsoft Works .wps file?
LibreOffice Writer imports most Works documents directly. Older Word versions could too via the Works converter; today LibreOffice is the practical route, then save as DOCX.
Why does my new .wps file not open in Word?
It is probably a WPS Office document, not a Works one. Open it in the free WPS Office suite, or export it there to DOCX or PDF for Word.