Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 12, 2018)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
In other issues of WordTips you learned that Word does not automatically save backup files of your documents, but that you can enable such a feature. If you instruct Word to save backup files, there will undoubtedly come a time when you want to open one of the backup files. The process of opening a backup file is very similar to the process of opening a regular document. Follow these steps:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1180) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Opening a Backup File.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
Finding the built in functionality in Word 2002 & 2003 for saving your document as a MS-DOS format.
Discover MoreRead-only documents (those that cannot be updated) are part and parcel of working with Word. There are many ways that a ...
Discover MoreGot a bunch of text that you've imported from a text file? Need to make it look better? You can take a stab at it with ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2019-03-18 16:57:06
Allan
Adam, you have to use the *, ie, *.WBK . This is a carry over from the old DOS days.
2019-02-01 00:46:40
Adam
This doesn't work. ".wbk" turns up nothing.
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments