This wikiHow teaches you how to destroy a Microsoft Word file so that it can't be opened.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using File Shredding Websites
Step 1. Open https://corrupt-a-file.net in your browser
The “Corrupt-a-File” website can be used for free to destroy uploaded files.
Step 2. Click the FROM YOUR COMPUTER button
It's yellow and below the text "Select the file to corrupt." Clicking on it will open a file browser window.
Step 3. Select the Microsoft Word file and click the Open button
The file name will appear below the text " Select the file to corrupt."
Step 4. Click the CORRUPT FILE button
Clicking on it will upload and corrupt the file.
Step 5. Click the DOWNLOAD YOUR CORRUPTED FILE button
This button will appear when the file has been successfully uploaded and corrupted.
Step 6. Name the file and click the Save button
After that, the corrupted Microsoft Word file will be downloaded to your computer.
Step 7. Open the Microsoft Word file
If you have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, double-clicking the file will open it in the program. After that, a message explaining that the file cannot be opened will appear on the screen. You will be given the option to recover the file. Click button Yes to continue. After that, Microsoft Word will attempt to repair or restore the contents of the file, but fails.
Method 2 of 4: Using Notepad on Windows
Step 1. Open the Notepad program available in Windows
You can find it in the Start menu in the menu Windows Accessories.
Step 2. Click the File menu and select an option Open.
After that, a file browser window will appear on the screen.
Step 3. Select the All Files option in the drop-down menu
This drop-down menu is in the lower-right side of the file browser window. Option Text Documents (*.txt) will be selected as default in the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Select the Microsoft Word file you want to destroy and click the Open button
After that, randomly written texts will appear in the Notepad window.
You can use any Microsoft Word file you want because once this file is tampered with, no one else will be able to open it
Step 5. Delete some lines of text
You can simply delete seven to eight lines of text.
Step 6. Click the File menu and select an option Save As.
After that, the "Save As" window will appear on the screen.
Step 7. Select the All Files option in the "Save As Type" window
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 8. Name the file and click the Save button
After that, the file will not be able to be opened again.
Step 9. Open the Microsoft Word file
If you have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, double-clicking the file will open it in the program. After that, a message explaining that the file cannot be opened will appear on the screen. You will be given the option to recover the file. Click button Yes to continue. Microsoft Word will attempt to repair or restore the contents of the file, but fails.
Method 3 of 4: Changing File Name Extensions in Windows
Step 1. Make sure the file name extension appears
Windows by default hides file name extensions. Follow these steps to bring it up:
- Open the Windows search bar by clicking the magnifying glass button to the right of the Windows logo at the bottom left of the screen. After that, type file options.
- Click File Explorer Options on the list of search results that appears on the screen.
- Click tab View which is at the top of the window.
- Uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types" box in the "Advanced Settings" menu.
- Click button OK.
Step 2. Find a file other than a Microsoft Word file or a text document
We recommend that you use a file type that cannot be opened in Microsoft Word, such as an image file (.jpg,.gif,.png) or sound file (.wav,.mp3,.ogg). You will use this file to create a fake corrupted Microsoft Word file.
Given that the selected file will be corrupted and cannot be reopened, it is recommended that you choose a file that is not important. You can also make a copy of the file before changing its name extension if you want to keep it
Step 3. Right-click the file and select the Rename option
The file name will be highlighted and you can rename it.
Step 4. Replace the file name extension with.docx
For example, if you are using a file called notes.jpg, replace the ".jpg" extension with.docx.
Step 5. Press Enter key
You'll see a message asking if you're sure you want to change the file name extension.
Step 6. Click the Yes button
After that, the file will be saved in.docx format. If you try to open this file in Microsoft Word, you will get a message that the file cannot be opened.
If you want to hide the filename extension again, go to the tab View in the window File Explorer Options and check the box "Hide extensions for known file types".
Method 4 of 4: Changing File Name Extensions on Mac
Step 1. Make sure the file name extension appears
Macs hide filename extensions by default. Follow these steps to bring it up:
-
Open the program Finder
- Click menu Finder located at the top left of the screen.
- Click option Preferences.
- Click tab Advanced which has a gear icon.
- Check the box "Show all filename extensions."
- Click the red circle in the upper-left side of the window to close it.
Step 2. Find a file other than a Microsoft Word file or a text document
We recommend that you use a file type that cannot be opened in Microsoft Word, such as an image file (.jpg,.gif,.png) or sound file (.wav,.mp3,.ogg). You will use this file to create a fake corrupted Microsoft Word file.
Given that the selected file will be corrupted and cannot be reopened, it is recommended that you choose a file that is not important. You can also make a copy of the file before changing its name extension if you want to keep it
Step 3. Click once on the file to select it and press Return key
After that, the file name will be highlighted and you can rename it.
Step 4. Replace the file name extension with.docx
For example, if you are using a file called notes.jpg, replace the ".jpg" extension with.docx.
Step 5. Press the Return key
You'll see a message asking if you're sure you want to change the file name extension.
Step 6. Click the Use.docx button
After that, the file will be saved in.docx format. If you try to open this file in Microsoft Word, you will see a message that the file cannot be opened.
If you want to hide filename extensions in Finder again, go to Finder > Preferences > Advanced and uncheck the box " Show all filename extensions."
Warning
- Do not use files that are important because files that have been damaged cannot be recovered easily. Therefore, it is recommended that you use unimportant files or copies of files.
- If you want to destroy the assignment file to trick the teacher or lecturer, you have to be careful. Many schools and universities already know this trick. Some teachers or professors may give you a zero if you submit a corrupted file. Read the school or university's rules and policies before you follow the steps listed in this article.
