Just right click on the document you want to open, select "Open With," then "Choose Default Program." You'll see a selection of "Recommended Programs" and a plus sign + to select from "Other Programs."

 

However, before you choose the program, unclick the box that says "Always use the selected program to open this type of file."

 

Select your program, click "OK," and you're good to go.

That's a Word document and you can read it with Word pad, but that's all you can do with it. No editing or changing. Right click on the file, choose Open with and DO check "Always use this program....' so it reclaims the default program for Word files. It will have lots of unreadable formatting symbols, but the text will be readable. Text files (.txt extension)can be read with Notepad or any text editor such as Editpad. Adobe Reader is for .pdf files.

Mary G,

"That's a Word document and you can read it with Word pad"

 

W R O N G ! ! ! Again Mary, why don't you be sure that you know what you are talking about BEFORE posting INCORRECT answers, time after time. Vista's version of WordPad will NOT open .doc (Word) files. Do you actually have Vista installed on any of your computers, and if so, have you actually used or tested any of its features or applications?