Run the original program in DOSBox and export to "RTF" (Rich Text Format). Word opens RTF perfectly.
Modern .docx structures cannot natively interpret WordStar’s binary formatting.
To make Word recognize the converter, you must place the files in the specific "Text Conv" folder:
The original files needed are typically named Wstar32.cnv or Wordstar.cnv . You can often find these in: Old Microsoft Office 97 or 2000 installation discs.
Using 30-year-old filters on modern operating systems comes with hurdles.
Since the "Full" pack is no longer included in Office 365 or Office 2021, you must manually source and install the .cnv files. 1. Sourcing the Files
A dialog box may appear asking to confirm the file format. Choose "WordStar".
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Security\FileBlock . Set the WordStar value to 0 to allow opening. 🚀 Step-by-Step: Converting WordStar to Word