WD98: Different Version of Word Is Started When You Click Document Icon (191373)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q191373

SUMMARY

This article describes what happens when you double-click a Microsoft Word document icon on the desktop or in a folder when multiple versions of Word are installed on your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

When you double-click a Word document icon, the Finder does the following:

  • If an instance of Word is running, the Finder opens the document in that version of Word.
  • If no instance of Word is running, the Finder looks in the desktop database to determine which version of Word to use to open the document (this is usually the version of Word you installed most recently). That is, the Finder ignores version information, the application date, and so on.

    Note that even when you delete a program, the desktop database entry for that program remains in the database. So, if the software is reinstalled (particularly if the software is installed by dragging it to the desktop), the reinstallation may use that existing database entry.

    To avoid this situation, rebuild the desktop before you reinstall a program. To rebuild the desktop, hold down the COMMAND and OPTION keys on your keyboard while you restart your computer. Continue holding the keys until you are prompted with the message, "Are you sure you want to rebuild the desktop." Release the keys and then click OK.
  • If your Macintosh computer has multiple volumes, every volume has its own database. The Finder searches the volumes one at a time, starting with the volume that contains the document. Note, however, that most recent versions of the Finder avoid searching remote volumes (servers) except as a last resort.

Specifying Word 98 as the Default

If you want documents you double-click to be opened in Word 98, follow these steps:

  1. Remove any existing copies of Word 6.x and Word 98 from your computer (and leave no more than one copy of Word 5.x).
  2. Restart your computer and rebuild the desktop databases on all volumes.
  3. Install Word 5.1 (if necessary).
  4. Install Word 6.0.1 to the same volume as in step 3.
  5. Install Word 98 to the same volume as in steps 3 and 4.
NOTE: If the versions of Word are on different volumes, then the version that is started depends on the volume containing the document.

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

183854 OFF98: Double-Clicking a File Starts Earlier Version Of Program

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/21/2005
Keywords:kbinfo KB191373
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.