Windows 7 - .reg files open Notepad - do not change registry to read older files

Running Win7Pro 64-bit. Am unable to open older Office 97 files with Office2003 which is installed and running fine. I found a couple of files here and elsewhere with .reg extensions that were supposed to make the necessary registry changes. eg. "UnlockWord.reg" and a more elaborate-looking "office security.reg". All that happens when I left-click on the file and thenleft-click on "Run" is the files opens in Notepad and has no effect.

What do I need to do to have the .reg files change the registry to Unblock my Word97 files ?

Hello SausalitoWalt, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Double check in Default Programs to make sure that the reg file extension is set to have it's Current Default program set as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe). Afterwards, try merging the REG file again to see if it will now.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Oh Shawn - how could I not think of that ?? And I fancy myself as pretty knowledgeable :-) That was exactly what I needed to do. Problem solved. Many Tx.

You're most welcome. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted.