Office 2007 - How do I set default save to 2003 file type. (Best Answer +10)?

I'm getting ready to deploy Office 2007 on my network, but cannot find where to set the default file type as 2003. We still work with a number of groups and individuals that do not have 2007 and I don't want to require them to install the optional conversion utility.

- I know about the free conversion utility.
- I know about OpenSource application suites.
- I know how to manually select the file type.

What I'm looking for is how to set this as a system default. Thanks!

(Will award Best Answer as soon as a correct answer is given.)

Now let me extend this question a bit further. The tips given work, but only for the user. Obviously to setup every user profile on each machine they use with the specifics is a bit yearning.

Any idea how to change this option as a system default, or how to push as a GPO?

You will need to configure each application separately, there is not a global change for all of them that I know of. However, the steps for each of them are very similar.

Open Word/Excel/PowerPoint click the Office button, choose Word Options in Word, Excel Options in Excel, etc. at the bottom of the window, click Save in the left pane.

The first option on the right should say "Save files in this format:". Simply select the 2003 version from the drop-down menu.

Click OK and you are done.

Best of luck, hope this helps.

***** Edit *****

Check out this Microsoft TechNet article that explains pushing this out using group policies: http://technet2.microsoft.com/Office/en-...

The article also includes a link to the Administrative Template Files needed, but I'll post it here too.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detai...

Open word 2007 click the office icon, then save as, now click the button in the bottom left that says tools now click save options.

In this window is a drop down box for "save files in this format" choose "word 97 - 2003 document (*.doc)

Give me them points ;)

Click on the Office Button (circular in left upper corner), click on word options, In customize how doc's are saved drop down select saves files in this format 'Word 97-2003 document'.

In Word Tools => Options select the compatability tab. There scroll down the "Recommended Options for:" and select Microsoft Word 2003.

I dont known. Please give me these points.

Straight forward job, use Save As, when requested for name, enter File Name. In next column below, choose Word version you wish to save the file as, there are quite a number of them on offer. That's all. Good luck.

Open Word and go to menu Tools> Options...

Click on Save tab and look for Default format. Change the "Save word file format" to 2003 and apply the changes. and when you are saving the Word file, Word will always save your document as 2003.

Ht2脴