Introduction

Microsoft has released security bulletin MS09-073. To view the complete security bulletin, visit one of the following Microsoft websites:

How to obtain help and support for this security update

Help installing updates: Support for Microsoft UpdateSecurity solutions for IT professionals: TechNet Security Troubleshooting and SupportHelp protect your computer that is running Windows from viruses and malware:Virus Solution and Security CenterLocal support according to your country: International Support

More Information

Known issues with this security update

When a file has a ".doc" or ".docx" file name extension, but the content is a plain text file or another kind of file that is not a Microsoft Word binary file, and that file is opened in Microsoft Word, you may receive the following error message up to three times before Microsoft Office Word successfully opens the file:

Word cannot start the converter mswrd632

To resolve this issue, an affected user can unregister the mswrd632 converter. To have us unregister the mswrd632 converter for you, go to the "Fix it for me" section. If you would rather unregister the mswrd632 converter yourself, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.

Fix it for me

To fix this problem automatically, click the Fix this problem link. Then click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in this wizard.Important You must exit Word and Outlook and verify that these applications are closed before you run the Fix it solution.

Fix this problem Note This wizard may be in English only. However, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.Note If you are not on the computer that has the problem, you can save the automatic fix to a flash drive or a CD and then run it on the computer that has the problem. This change will effectively unregister the converter and disable it for third-party applications and for Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office will use its own text converters to open these kinds of files.After you run the Fix It solution, you may see additional messages when you try to open your file:

  • You may see a File Conversion dialog box that resembles the following:This message appears when Word does not recognize the file type. You should check the file name extension of the file to make sure that it is using a file name extension that Word recognizes. This message can also appear if the file that you try to open is damaged. To troubleshoot a damaged Word file follow the information that is provided in the next bullet.

  • You may receive a message that resembles the following:

    Word was unable to read this document. It may be corrupted.

    This message indicates the file is damaged. Follow the information in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base to try to recover your file.For Word 2003 and earlier versions

    826864 How to troubleshoot damaged Word documentsFor Word 2007 and Word 2010

    918429 How to troubleshoot damaged documents in Word 2007 and in Word 2010

After you run the Fix it solution above, you are finished with this article.

Let me fix it myself

To unregister the mswrd632 converter yourself, edit the registry as follows:

  1. Exit Word and Outlook and verify that they are closed before you proceed to the next step.

  2. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

  3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

    • For 32-bit versions of Windows:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Text Converters\Import\MSWord6.wpc

    • For 64-bit versions of Windows:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Text Converters\Import\MSWord6.wpc

  4. On the Edit menu, click Delete.Important You must delete this registry key. If you rename it, these steps will not work.

  5. Click Yes.

  6. Exit Registry Editor.

This change will effectively unregister the converter and disable it for third-party applications and for Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office will use its own text converters to open these kinds of files.After you follow the steps to unregister the mswrd632 converter yourself, you may see additional messages when you try to open your file:

  • You may see a File Conversion dialog box that resembles the following:This message appears when Word does not recognize the file type. You should check the file name extension of the file to make sure that it is using a file name extension thatWord recognizes. This message can also appear if the file that you try to open is damaged. To troubleshoot a damaged Word file, follow the information that is provided in the next bullet.

  • You may receive a message that resembles the following:

    Word was unable to read this document. It may be corrupted.

    This indicates the file is damaged. Follow the information in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base to try to recover your file.For Word 2003 and earlier versions

    826864 How to troubleshoot damaged Word documentsFor Word 2007 and Word 2010

    918429 How to troubleshoot damaged documents in Word 2007 and in Word 2010

Functionality changes with this security update

This security update deploys additional changes to the way that Windows and third-party components use the Word 6.0/95 for Windows and Macintosh to RTF converter.By default, Windows XP SP2, Windows XP SP3, and Windows Server 2003 SP2 operating systems already prevent WordPad from parsing Word 6.0 and Write documents by disabling this text converter. Additionally, this mechanism is deployed on other platforms when security update 885836 (security bulletin MS04-041) is installed. On these platforms, when you open a Word for Windows 6.0 document in WordPad, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

Cannot load Word for Windows 6.0 files

Write files are parsed as plain text files, but no message is shown. This behavior is described in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 870883.This security update will enforce this mechanism more strictly. The restriction now applies to other applications that use the Word 6.0 converter that is included with Windows as part of the WordPad application. By default, third-party applications can no longer use the converter to parse these older file formats.If an administrator requires the Word 6.0/95 for Windows and Macintosh to RTF converter, you can re-enable the converter by adding an AllowConversion registry entry with a DWORD value of 1. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

  2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey. Or, create it if it is not present.

    • For 32-bit versions of Windows:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Wordpad

    • For 64-bit versions of Windows:

      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\Wordpad

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.

  4. Type AllowConversion for the name of the DWORD, and then press ENTER.

  5. Right-click AllowConversion, and then click Modify.

  6. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.

  7. Exit Registry Editor.

After you set this registry key value to 1, third-party applications can load the Word 6.0/95 for Windows and Macintosh to RTF converter. Please be aware that setting this registry key removes the protection that was added by this security update. Therefore, it should be done only when you trust the source of the files that are loaded by this converter. You can also disable this converter by setting the registry key value to 0. If the registry value AllowConversion is not set to 1 or does not exist, and if a Windows component or third-party application tries to open a Word 6.0 file by using the Word 6.0/95 for Windows and Macintosh to RTF converter, the file will not open, and a dialog box will be displayed.

File information

The English (United States) version of this security update has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows XP

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

SP requirement

Service branch

Html32.cnv

2003.1100.8166

321,888

29-Jul-2009

14:00

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3GDR

Msconv97.dll

2003.1100.8165.0

119,648

29-Jul-2009

14:01

x86

SP3

SP3GDR

Mswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

20-Nov-2009

11:14

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3GDR

Mswrd632.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

20-Nov-2009

09:01

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3GDR

Mswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

279,552

20-Nov-2009

11:14

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3GDR

Mswrd832.cnv

2003.1100.8313.0

215,896

28-Aug-2009

08:47

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3GDR

Write.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

20-Nov-2009

11:14

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3GDR

Write32.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

20-Nov-2009

09:01

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3GDR

Html32.cnv

2003.1100.8165.0

321,888

29-Jul-2009

14:00

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3QFE

Msconv97.dll

2003.1100.8165.0

119,648

29-Jul-2009

14:01

x86

SP3

SP3QFE

Mswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

20-Nov-2009

10:30

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3QFE

Mswrd632.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

20-Nov-2009

09:01

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3QFE

Mswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

279,552

20-Nov-2009

10:30

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3QFE

Mswrd832.cnv

2003.1100.8313.0

215,896

28-Aug-2009

08:47

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3QFE

Write.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

20-Nov-2009

10:30

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3QFE

Write32.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

20-Nov-2009

09:01

Not Applicable

SP3

SP3QFE

For all supported versions of Windows 2000

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

Html32.cnv

2003.1100.8165.0

321,888

21-Aug-2009

10:10

Not Applicable

Msconv97.dll

2003.1100.8165.0

119,648

21-Aug-2009

10:09

x86

Mswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

25-Nov-2009

08:16

Not Applicable

Mswrd632.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

25-Nov-2009

08:11

Not Applicable

Mswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

279,552

31-Aug-2009

08:37

Not Applicable

Mswrd832.cnv

2003.1100.8313.0

215,896

31-Aug-2009

08:41

Not Applicable

Write.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

25-Nov-2009

08:16

Not Applicable

Write32.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

25-Nov-2009

08:11

Not Applicable

For all supported 32-bit versions of Windows Server 2003

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

SP requirement

Service branch

Html32.cnv

2003.1100.8166

321,888

29-Jul-2009

13:53

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Msconv97.dll

2003.1100.8165.0

119,648

29-Jul-2009

13:53

x86

SP2

SP2GDR

Mswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

20-Nov-2009

14:05

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Mswrd632.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

20-Nov-2009

10:39

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Mswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

279,552

20-Nov-2009

14:05

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Mswrd832.cnv

2003.1100.8313.0

215,896

29-Aug-2009

04:40

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Write.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

20-Nov-2009

14:05

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Write32.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

20-Nov-2009

10:39

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Html32.cnv

2003.1100.8165.0

321,888

29-Jul-2009

13:53

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Msconv97.dll

2003.1100.8165.0

119,648

29-Jul-2009

13:53

x86

SP2

SP2QFE

Mswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

20-Nov-2009

12:04

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Mswrd632.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

20-Nov-2009

10:39

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Mswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

279,552

20-Nov-2009

12:04

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Mswrd832.cnv

2003.1100.8313.0

215,896

29-Aug-2009

04:40

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Write.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

20-Nov-2009

12:04

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Write32.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

20-Nov-2009

10:39

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 and of Windows XP Professional x64 edition

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

SP requirement

Service branch

Mswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

252,928

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Mswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

383,488

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Write.wpc

2009.10.31.10

116,224

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Whtml32.cnv

2003.1100.8165.0

321,888

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmsconv97.dll

2003.1100.8165.0

119,648

22-Nov-2009

07:32

x86

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmswrd632.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

279,552

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmswrd832.cnv

2003.1100.8313.0

215,896

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wwrite.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wwrite32.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

22-Nov-2009

07:32

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Mswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

252,928

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Mswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

383,488

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Write.wpc

2009.10.31.10

116,224

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Whtml32.cnv

2003.1100.8165.0

321,888

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmsconv97.dll

2003.1100.8165.0

119,648

22-Nov-2009

07:28

x86

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmswrd632.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

279,552

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmswrd832.cnv

2003.1100.8313.0

215,896

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wwrite.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wwrite32.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

22-Nov-2009

07:28

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2003

File name

File version

File size

Date

Time

Platform

SP requirement

Service branch

Mswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

488,448

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Mswrd664.wpc

2009.10.31.10

488,448

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Mswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

733,184

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Mswrd864.wpc

2009.10.31.10

733,184

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Write.wpc

2009.10.31.10

193,024

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Write64.wpc

2009.10.31.10

193,024

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR

Whtml32.cnv

2003.1100.8165.0

321,888

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmsconv97.dll

2003.1100.8165.0

119,648

25-Nov-2009

03:25

x86

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmswrd632.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

279,552

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wmswrd832.cnv

2003.1100.8313.0

215,896

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wwrite.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Wwrite32.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

25-Nov-2009

03:25

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2GDR\WOW

Mswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

488,448

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Mswrd664.wpc

2009.10.31.10

488,448

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Mswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

733,184

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Mswrd864.wpc

2009.10.31.10

733,184

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Write.wpc

2009.10.31.10

193,024

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Write64.wpc

2009.10.31.10

193,024

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE

Whtml32.cnv

2003.1100.8165.0

321,888

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmsconv97.dll

2003.1100.8165.0

119,648

25-Nov-2009

03:22

x86

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmswrd6.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmswrd632.wpc

2009.10.31.10

187,392

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmswrd8.wpc

2009.10.31.10

279,552

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wmswrd832.cnv

2003.1100.8313.0

215,896

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wwrite.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

Wwrite32.wpc

2009.10.31.10

89,600

25-Nov-2009

03:22

Not Applicable

SP2

SP2QFE\WOW

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