How to fix crypt32.dll problem opening Winword on my old Windows XP computer

Question

I need to retrieve some very old Winword files (1991-2006) from my Windows XP computer. When I try to open any Windword file, Winword opens then I get an error something to the effect "Winword has experienced an error and must close". The window that remains after Winword closes says can't find "crypt32.dll".

Can I copy these Winword files to my Windows 10 or Windows 11 (with Microsoft Word) computer and somehow open them?

Answer 1

Hi,

Please copy crypt32.dll (Located at C:/Windows/System32) from another working Windows machine, try to put the .dll file in C:/Windows/System32 on your XP machine for a check.

Can I copy these Winword files to my Windows 10 or Windows 11 (with Microsoft Word) computer and somehow open them?

According to the thread "Old old old Word Files", the old documents may be opened via newer versions of Word, but may lost format, only straight text.

---

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

---

Answer 2

I haven't seen the crypt32.dll error, but to successfully open very old files, you will need to change Word's File Block settings. Choose File>Options>Trust Center>Trust Center Settings, then choose the File Block Settings tab. Uncheck the Open and Save boxes for each file type you need to open and/or save, then OK out and see if opening an old file works better.