While Microsoft no longer officially supports these old filters in recent Office versions (such as Office 2007 and newer), you can manually install them into older versions or try to "side-load" them in compatible environments:
The WordStar Converter Pack is a collection of legacy filters and converters designed to allow Microsoft Word to recognize and translate WordStar file formats (specifically versions 4, 5, and 6) into modern Word documents. Historically, this was included in the , which provided support for a suite of older formats used between 1997 and 2003. How to Install and Use the WordStar Converter
This tool bridges the gap between decades-old digital archives and modern word processors, ensuring your valuable historical files remain accessible.
Create another named Extensions and set its value to ws ws4 ws5 ws6 ws7 . How to Convert WordStar Files in Microsoft Word
.ws , .ws4 , .ws5 , .ws6 , .ws7 , and extensionless text files. How to Install the Converter Pack (Step-by-Step) wordstar converter pack for microsoft word full
: Find the wdsupcv.exe file, which contains the necessary conversion filters.
Locate the entries for older formats or text converters and uncheck the block.
If deploying a vintage 32-bit converter pack on a modern 64-bit operating system proves too difficult, several reliable alternative pathways exist:
Some specialized "Legacy to PDF" web tools can handle basic WordStar files without installation. While Microsoft no longer officially supports these old
It was originally part of the Office 2000 Converter Pack , which Microsoft has since withdrawn for security reasons. Better Modern Alternatives
To get the best results from the full version, follow these professional archivist tips:
: Typically supports WordStar versions 3.3 through 7.0 for DOS, as well as WordStar for Windows 1.0 and 2.0.
The is not just a utility; it is a time machine. It respects the decades of work poured into those old files. Whether you are a novelist recovering a lost manuscript, a historian digitizing a collection, or a lawyer bound by discovery requests, the Full version delivers peace of mind. Create another named Extensions and set its value
Set its value data to the exact path of your converter file, for example: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\TextConv\Wrdstr32.cnv
If you are attempting to use legacy converters in newer versions of Word (such as Word 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365), you will likely encounter an error stating that the file format is blocked by your . To bypass this security feature: Open Word and navigate to File > Options > Trust Center .
To make Word recognize the converter, you must place the files in the specific "Text Conv" folder:
Navigate to your Office text converters folder. This is typically located at: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\TextConv\ the Wrdstr32.cnv file into this directory.