Opening old Power Point files

Anonymous
2010-02-04T02:28:59+00:00

I have a large number of Power Point files that were created in 1995, 1996, 1997, and later using then current versions of Power Point (3.0 and earlier versions I think they were ... and since these were federal governement computers the operating system was probably whatever was before Windows 95).  I upgraded to Windows Vista 64 anad a new computer in August 2009, with Office 2007 and recently needed to open a Power Point presentation from 1997 and use it the historical data in a new presentation.  My computer wouldn't open the file and said that my current Power Point doesn't support earlier versions.  I then tried to open the 1997 file one of my other computers that has Windows XP and Office 2003.  The file wouldn't open on that computer either giving a similar message.  I also have an antique computer with Windows 98 that isn't very reliable, some of these old Power Point files can open on that computer with a little animation of pages flying through the air saying it is updating from an older version of Power Point.  I have hundreds of old Power Point files and some of them still have relevant historical information that I need to use occasionally without having to remember the details of what I put on them then.  How can I open these old Power Point files on my new computer?

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Anonymous
2010-02-04T05:27:31+00:00

I have a large number of Power Point files that were created in 1995, 1996, 1997, and later using then current versions of Power Point (3.0 and earlier versions I think they were ... and since these were federal governement computers the operating system was probably whatever was before Windows 95).  I upgraded to Windows Vista 64 anad a new computer in August 2009, with Office 2007 and recently needed to open a Power Point presentation from 1997 and use it the historical data in a new presentation.  My computer wouldn't open the file and said that my current Power Point doesn't support earlier versions.  I then tried to open the 1997 file one of my other computers that has Windows XP and Office 2003.  The file wouldn't open on that computer either giving a similar message.  I also have an antique computer with Windows 98 that isn't very reliable, some of these old Power Point files can open on that computer with a little animation of pages flying through the air saying it is updating from an older version of Power Point.  I have hundreds of old Power Point files and some of them still have relevant historical information that I need to use occasionally without having to remember the details of what I put on them then.  How can I open these old Power Point files on my new computer?

Hi

I'm afraid 2007 won't open really old files (saved in '97 format or earlier I believe) but 2003 might. If 2003 won't, you need to find a computer running an older version and try again... There may be some 'issues' (particularly with animations from pre XP/2002) but at least you'll have a starting point. Once you have found a computer that will open the files this should help:

Batch re-save presentations; update older presentations to newer PowerPoint version

http://www.pptfaq.com/FAQ00740.htm

I advise you to update all the files when you find the equipment to do so :-)

Lucy

Lucy Thomson

PowerPoint MVP

an easier tomorrow

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-01-05T20:21:21+00:00

    Glad it helped!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-05T17:04:50+00:00

    Thank you!  Zamzar website worked!

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-12-09T15:38:50+00:00

    Most likely they were saved in the 97-2003 & 95 format. These look just like normal 97-2003 files but they won't open in versions after 2003. The zamzar solution works for us though it's not convenient if you have lots of files.

    I hear lots of people telling MSFT their security policy is stupid etc but the the fact is it is not about to change., If you can find someone with a copy of 2003 or earlier it's possible to have a batch code update running which can update the format fairly quickly.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-12-09T14:35:17+00:00

    I understand the problem of many users keeping files in archaic versions but I believe we are supposed to keep our files updated. I on the other hand have a different problem since the type file of my files are "Microsoft Powerpoint 97-2003 Presentation" but powerpoint 2013 cannot open it and returns an error that it is 95 version. If you have any clue why that happens please enlighten me.

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