doc file extension is commonly used for text documents created in Microsoft Word word processor before version 2007. Word DOC documents can be opened in almost every (if not every) other word processor, such as OpenOffice.org Writer or iWork Pages.
There is one other file type using
the DOC file extension!
.doc - Document file
Software that open doc file
DOC file extension - Microsoft Word document (prior version 2007)
What is doc file? How to open doc files?
The doc file extension is associated with Microsoft Word, a powerful word processor program from Microsoft and part of Microsoft Office.
Microsoft Word traditionally used the doc files for its document files before version 2007. The above versions of MS Word use the docx file extension instead.
The doc files are in the Word binary file format, a collection of records and structures that specify text, tables, fields, pictures, embedded XML markup, and other document content.
The content can be printed on pages of multiple sizes or displayed on various devices. The Word binary file format begins with a master record named the file Information block, which references all other data in the file. By following links from the file information block, an application can locate all text and other objects in the file and compute the properties of those objects.
The latest versions of Microsoft Office use the Open XML file format standard, and the Microsoft Word documents are saved with the docx file extension, or if they also have macros enabled, the docm file extension.
The DOC file format is obsolete and no longer developed. However, it is still widely used due to the popularity of Microsoft Office. Newer documents are created and converted from doc to docx format.
MIME types used by MS Word documents:
application/msword
application/doc
appl/text
application/vnd.msword
application/vnd.ms-word
application/winword
application/word
application/x-msw6
application/x-msword
This doc file type entry was marked as obsolete and no longer supported file format.
This type of file is no longer actively used and is most likely obsolete. This is typically the case for system files in old operating systems, file types from long discontinued software, or previous versions of certain file types (like documents, projects etc.) that were replaced in higher versions of their original programs.
Updated: November 29, 2023
The default software associated to open doc file:
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
A popular word processor that started with Word for MS-DOS in 1983 and for year is now a core application of Microsoft Office suite. Microsoft Word offers powerful word processing and text editor features that allow users to easy create high quality documents.
Almost every, if not every, computer user knows .doc and .docx Word documents.
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Office is popular productivity suite for Microsoft Windows. Microsoft Office contains a set of applications and services used to work with documents (Microsoft Word), spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel), presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint), databases (Microsoft Access) etc..
Microsoft Office can be also used to manage e-mail accounts, tasks, calendars and contacts (Microsoft Outlook).
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Word for Mac is the Macintosh version of the popular word processing application from Microsoft Office Suite. It offers powerful text editing features for both home and corporate users.
The latest version of this application, Microsoft Word, is integral part of Microsoft Office for Mac and cannot be bought as standalone.
Company or developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Office 365 is a subscription-based service that gives users access to several services and apps from Microsoft Office. It is available some types of subscription editions (for Home, Education, Business and Enterprise users) available for Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS and all major mobile platforms.
List of software applications associated to the .doc file extension
Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open doc file, edit doc file, convert doc file, view doc file, play doc file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).
Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting doc files.
Software that open doc file - Microsoft Word document (prior version 2007)
Programs supporting the exension doc on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open doc file action.
Microsoft Windows:
Main software associated with doc file by default:
Microsoft Word
Other suggested software:
Corel WordPerfect
Kingsoft Office
Ability Write
Apple macOS / Mac OS X:
Main software associated with doc file by default:
Microsoft Word for Mac
Other suggested software:
Pages for Mac
NeoOffice
AbiWord for Mac
