Windows 7: Open Works documents in Windows 7

I have an old XP computer which is steadily giving up. However, for some strange reason my husband still likes it so doesn't want me to migrate all the stuff on it to my new computer, as he intends using the XP to the bitter end.
In advance of it crashing I have saved valuable files to a Lacie external hard drive. However, when I tried to open files in Windows 7 it is obvious there is is a format issue. My old word processing was done with Works 7 which came standard with the XP. I browsed the internet and read to use the 'open file tab' and to browse for a 'wps' option. There is no sign of this option, or am I looking in the wrong place? My current computer has Office Starter installed and this seems to use Wordpad as the word processing package. How do I go about being able to open my old Works 7 documents? I do not want to buy more advanced programs if I can avoid it. I am a senior person and just use it for day to day stuff. However, some of the information in these files is important. So I need to sort this now before my XP crashes.
Also, am I likely to find other files I cant work with? My photos are all accessible it seems but would I be able to edit them?
Thanks for your help I have spent all afternoon trying to sort this and don't seem any nearer.

Tiffany

Hope this helps Tiffany

How to open a Works 6.0, a Works 7.0, a Works 8.0, or a Works 9.0 word processing document in Word

Hi Maxie,
Thanks for the quick response. I have looked at the article. Sorry to seem thick but I am with computers! If I have Office Starter does this mean I will have Works installed on my computer? I have been to the all programs tab but cannot find Works listed. Just the Open Office Starter.
I dont want to install the Works converter without verifying that I do in fact have Works as required.

Thanks again,
Tiffany

Hi Tiffany install the Converter as you have stated that you have Works 7 on your other computer

To maxie: Tiffany127 said nothing about Word. May be she does not have it installed!!

To Tiffany127:
Latest version of Microsoft Works 9.0 was discontinued more than 5 years ago. And certainly you won't have it out-of-the-box in Windows 7.

You could try to force open your works files in your Office Starter or even in WordPad.

In Office Starter or Wordpad - File menu, click OPEN.
Then in Open window make sure that it has ALL FILES extension selected (please click on a picture attached).

Valid point Neutron 16 cheers mate

To Maxie
Thanks for your input. I think I confused you with my second message. I have referred to 'Works' twice when I meant 'Word'. Anyway, thanks for all your help. You will be pleased to know that I followed Neutron 16's advice and I can now open the files!!!!! Great to have a site like this that I can turn to for help. Thanks again for your time.
Tiffany

To Neutron16,
Thanks so much! I had tried this earlier in the day but with no success. Then after your reply I tried again.
This time I included the folders in the library on my new computer under documents. I had not done this before( being computer thick!), and stumbled on it by accident. I then followed the 'All files' instructions and this time it worked!!!!! Thanks so much for your help.
Tiffany

Just glad you got it sorted Tiffany