The fastest way to open a DOCX file

A DOCX file is a Word document — the standard format Microsoft Word uses to save text files. If you have a DOCX file on your computer, phone, or tablet, you have several ways to open it without buying anything.

The simplest route depends on what device you are using. On Windows, double-click the file and it will open in Word if you have it installed, or in a free alternative if you do not. On Mac, the same double-click works. On a phone or tablet, you tap the file and choose which app to open it with from the menu that appears.

If nothing happens when you double-click, or if you see an error message, the file may be corrupted, or your device may not have a program set to open DOCX files by default. The sections below walk through each situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Double-clicking a DOCX file on Windows or Mac will open it in Word if you have it, or in a free alternative like Google Docs or LibreOffice if you do not.
  • On phones and tablets, tap the DOCX file and select an app from the menu — Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or another reader app all work.
  • If double-clicking does nothing, right-click the file, choose "Open with", and pick a program from the list.
  • You can also upload a DOCX file to Google Drive or OneDrive and open it in your web browser without installing anything.
  • If the file will not open in any program, it may be corrupted or the filename may be wrong — try renaming it to end in .docx if it does not already.

Opening a DOCX file on Windows

On Windows, the easiest method is to find the file in File Explorer, then double-click it. If you have Microsoft Word installed, the file opens there. If you do not have Word, Windows will look for another program on your computer that can open DOCX files.

If double-clicking does nothing, or if you see a message saying Windows does not know how to open the file, right-click the file instead. A menu will appear. Click "Open with" and you will see a list of programs. Choose one — Microsoft Word if you have it, or Google Chrome, Edge, or another browser if you want to open it online. If you see "Choose another app", click that to see more options.

If the list is empty or shows only programs that did not work, your computer may not have any DOCX reader installed. In that case, upload the file to Google Drive (see the section below) or download LibreOffice, which is free and opens DOCX files on any Windows computer.

Opening a DOCX file on Mac

On Mac, double-click the DOCX file in Finder. If you have Microsoft Word for Mac installed, it opens there. If you do not, the file may open in a different program, or you may see a message saying no program is set to open it.

If you see that message, right-click the file and select "Open With". A menu will show the programs available on your Mac. Choose one — Microsoft Word, Google Chrome, or another option. If you want to set that program as the default for all DOCX files, click "Always Open With" instead of just "Open".

If no programs appear in the menu, or if the ones that do appear will not open the file, try uploading it to Google Drive or iCloud and opening it there. Both work in any web browser on Mac.

Opening a DOCX file on a phone or tablet

On iPhone, iPad, or Android, tap the DOCX file in your file manager or email. A menu will appear asking which app you want to use. Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and several other apps can open DOCX files on mobile devices.

If you do not have any of these apps installed, you can download Microsoft Word for free from the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android). Google Docs is also free and works in any web browser — you do not need to install an app.

If you received the DOCX file in an email, you can often open it directly from the email without saving it first. Tap the attachment, then choose which app to use. Some email apps, like Gmail, let you preview the file without opening it in another program.

Opening a DOCX file in a web browser

You do not need to install any program to open a DOCX file. Upload it to Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud storage service, and open it in your web browser.

To use Google Drive, go to drive.google.com in any web browser, click "New", then "File upload", and choose your DOCX file. Once it uploads, double-click it and it will open in Google Docs. You can read it, edit it, and download it again in DOCX format when you are done.

OneDrive works the same way. Go to onedrive.live.com, click "Upload", choose your file, and it opens in Word Online. Both services are free and work on any computer, phone, or tablet with a web browser.

What to do if the file will not open

If you have tried multiple programs and none of them will open the file, the DOCX file may be corrupted or the filename may be wrong. First, check that the filename ends in .docx. If it ends in something else — like .doc, .txt, or no extension at all — right-click the file, select "Rename", and change the ending to .docx, then try opening it again.

If the filename is correct and the file still will not open, try opening it in a different program. If it opens in one program but not another, the file is probably fine — the program you tried first just does not support that particular version of DOCX. Try Google Docs, LibreOffice, or Microsoft Word Online instead.

If the file will not open in any program, and you received it from someone else, ask them to resend it. The file may have been damaged when it was downloaded or transferred. If you created the file yourself and cannot open it, the file may be corrupted and unrecoverable.

Free programs that open DOCX files

You do not need to buy Microsoft Word to open DOCX files. Several free programs work just as well. LibreOffice is a free office suite that opens DOCX files on Windows, Mac, and Linux. WPS Office is another free option. Both let you read, edit, and save DOCX files.

Google Docs and Microsoft Word Online are free web-based programs that open DOCX files in any browser. You do not install anything — just upload the file and open it. Both let you edit the file and download it again in DOCX format.

On phones and tablets, Microsoft Word is free to download from the App Store or Google Play. Google Docs is also free. Both work on any phone or tablet and let you open DOCX files from email, cloud storage, or your device's file manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between DOCX and DOC?

DOC is an older format that Microsoft Word used before 2007. DOCX is the newer format. Most programs today open both, but DOCX is smaller and more reliable. If you have a DOC file, you can open it the same way you would open a DOCX file — double-click it or upload it to Google Drive.

Can I open a DOCX file without installing anything?

Yes. Upload it to Google Drive, OneDrive, or another cloud storage service and open it in your web browser. You do not need to install any program on your computer or phone. This works on any device with internet access.

Why does my DOCX file open in the wrong program?

Your computer has a default program set to open DOCX files, and it may not be the one you want. Right-click the file, select "Open with", and choose a different program. If you want to change the default for all DOCX files, right-click, select "Open with", then "Choose another app", and check the box that says "Always use this app".

Can I open a DOCX file on my phone?

Yes. Tap the file in your file manager or email, and a menu will appear asking which app to use. Microsoft Word and Google Docs both work on phones and tablets. If you do not have either installed, download one from the App Store or Google Play.

What if the DOCX file is password protected?

If the file is password protected, the program will ask you for the password when you try to open it. Type the password and the file will open. If you do not know the password, you cannot open the file — there is no way to recover a lost password for a DOCX file.