Why Word documents automatically converted to Word Pad documents

[Egbert]

All of a sudden, I noticed that files I had saved in Word have been converted
to Word Pad documents. Even the icon indicating the kind of document in now a
Word Pad icon. Recently, using Word, I saved a document. Later on, when I
looked for it again, it was already a Word Pad document.

Did I made a wrong setting by mistake or has my computer been invaded by a
virus?

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

See http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ReRegisterWord.htm . If
reregistering Word doesn't help, then see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307859 "How to change file
associations in Windows XP" (the process is similar in Windows Vista).