How to create legacy Office files in the 2007 Office system

When you use Windows Explorer or the desktop to create a new 2007 Microsoft Office file, a new Office file is created in an XML file format (.dox or .xlsx). For example, this behavior occurs when you right-click the desktop, you point to New, and then you click Microsoft Office Word Document. By default, files that you create in the 2007 Office system are in XML file formats.

This article is about how to create legacy Office files, such as .doc files, .xls files, .ppt files, or .mdb files in the 2007 Office system. You can create legacy Office files without opening any Office applications. To do this, you must modify some settings. The modified settings will apply to all the users who log on to the computer.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To create an Office file that uses legacy Office file types in the 2007 Office system, follow these steps.

Note You must have administrative credentials to write to the %windir%\SHELLNEW folder and to merge the registry information.

1. Start Microsoft Office Word 2007, and then follow these steps to create a blank document:
   1. Click the Microsoft Office Button
      , point to Save As, and then click Windows 97-2003 Document.
   2. In the File name box, type %windir%\SHELLNEW\winword8.doc, and then click Save.
   3. Exit Word 2007.
2. Start Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007, and then follow these steps to create a blank presentation:
   1. Click the Microsoft Office Button
      , point to Save As, and then click PowerPoint 97-2003 Presentation.
   2. In the File name box, type %windir%\SHELLNEW\pwrpnt11.ppt, and then click Save.
   3. Exit PowerPoint 2007.
3. Start Microsoft Office Excel 2007, and then follow these steps to save a blank workbook:
   1. Click the Microsoft Office Button
      , point to Save As, and then click Excel 97-2003 Workbook.
   2. In the File name box, type %windir%\SHELLNEW\excel9.xls, and then click Save.
   3. Exit Excel 2007.
4. Start Microsoft Office Access 2007, and then follow these steps to save a blank database:
   1. Click the Microsoft Office Button
      , and then click New.
   2. Click the folder icon to find a location to put the database, and then click Create.
   3. Click the Microsoft Office Button, point to Save As, and then click Access 2002 - 2003 Database.
   4. In the File name box, type %windir%\SHELLNEW\access9.mdb, and then click Save.
   5. Exit Access 2007.
5. Create a registry file (.reg file) by using a text editor such as Notepad. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Copy and paste the following text in a new Notepad file.

      Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.doc\Word.Document.8\ShellNew]
      "FileName"="winword8.doc"
      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ppt\PowerPoint.Show.8\ShellNew]
      "FileName"="pwrpnt11.ppt"
      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.xls\Excel.Sheet.8\ShellNew]
      "FileName"="excel9.xls"
      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mdb\Access.MDBFile\ShellNew] 
      "FileName"="access9.mdb"
      

   2. On the File menu, click Save As.
   3. In the Save as type box, select All Files.
   4. In the File name box, type filename.reg, and then click Save.
   5. Exit Notepad.
6. Merge the filename.reg file together with the registry. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Double-click the filename.reg file, and then click Yes.
      
      
      If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
   2. Click OK for the message box.
7. Delete the following registry entries in Registry Editor. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start
      , click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
      
      
      If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
   2. Locate and then delete the following registry subkeys:
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.docx\Word.Document.12\ShellNew\NullFile

      
      

      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.xlsx\Excel.Sheet.12\ShellNew\FileName

      
      

      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.pptx\PowerPoint.Show.12\ShellNew\FileName

      
      

      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.accdb\Access.Application.12\ShellNew\FileName
   3. Exit Registry Editor.