Right. But the simplest solution is that they should save files in the default format, “.docx” If a user has 2K7, the let them save in “.docx.” Users of older versions of Office (2K3) can get the compatibility packages from MS site, this will allow them to open docx and make some edits. But if the 2K7 user has used an object that wasn’t available in 2K3, then the 2K3 user will receive “file cannot be opened because there are problems with the contents” and will ask the user to allow it to delete the erronious object, clicking Yes will lead to loss of data.

Conversely, if a 2K3 user creates a document and sends to a 2K7 user for editing\g, then tell the 2K7 guy to change default save format to .docx. 2K7 guy must change the default save option to “.doc” Using the default docx, and using doc only on per document basis, doesn’t work well.

Best is to go with the majority is 2K3 use4rs > 2K7, then let everyone use 2K3.

@Jatin Shah: That’s actually a perfectly normal behavior. Those are backup files created by Word’s auto-recovery system. You know when sometimes when your computer/word crashes and you open it it will ask you if you want to recover unsaved version? Those unsaved versions are saved in these mysterious files. Word creates them when the document is open, and then it usually deletes them when you close it.

Sometimes it fails to do so and they become orphaned – Word simply forgets it created them. You can delete all these files without any fear when Word is closed.

I have a quick question if someone can help. My wife uses my laptop to use MS Word. Many times while she is using it she will save a file or try and instead of saving Word creates another file with a funky title that always begins with “W” and usually ends in “~”. What is this, does anyone know? And how can we solve this? Thanks!!!