can't open docx

Hi I have just started using M/S Office words. I saved my homework as a docx file.
When I went to reopen my saved homework(in Documents), I get a message,
' docx is not a valid Win32 application'. Why is this? Is it because I am running Vista 64bit on my computer. I moved the homework to a m/stick, put the stick into my laptop (vista 32bit)and the homework opened,good as gold.
Thanks for any help, I am offered. I am new to this sort of thing, so I hope I make sense.
Thanks, Lance.

Are you sure you have the same version of office installed on both computers?

docx was introduced with office 2007. Any versions before it cannot read the file extension without a convertor. So either you need to install office 2007 on your desktop, or get the converter.

What happens if you open Word first then go File/Open can you find the homework and open it that way.?

day 24, all I know is that I installed Office on my computer, and the laptop had Office installed when I bought it.
Joan Archer, yes if I open Word first and then the homework it's fine.
But as I say, I used this (64bit) computer to write...save....open.
When I go to Properties of the saved file, it reads:
Type of file....Docx
Opens with....M/S Office Word.
Thanks for the info.
Lance.

So the problem only occurs when you double click the file, and not when you open it when word is already opened?
This means that your file associations aren't set up properly.
Without word opened, the easiest way to fix this, usually, is to right click the file in question, and click "open with" and then do not select word, but select "other". A little menu should open, where you can also slect word. There's also a little tick mark at the bottom somewhere which should say "always open with this program". Tick that.
Select the right version of word though, and click ok.

The safest would be if you don't click the version of word in that list, but browse for the exe file. It is usually located under c:\program files (x86)\microsoft office\office12\winword.exe (so it's in the folder office12)

Thanks Day24,but when I went into 'open with', I found the path......Office12/winword.exe I clicked 'Apply' but got the answer,
Path does not exist. Sorry. Lance.

that leads me to believe that you don't have the latest office installed on your system though. Do you have the discs for office 2007? If so, install them again on your machine. Doing that should solve the problem.

Personally I think that changing the file format to docx was a big mistake on the part of microsoft.....

Day24, Thank you,you pointed me in the right direction. I reloaded Office
and my problem is solved.
Lesson for the week, has been learned.
Lance.

No problem Lance! That's what we're here for.
If you want to thank the people who helped you, like Joan, please click on the little icon of the scales to the top right of her post. This will add to her reputation (or rep as we call it).

I'm glad to see that you have your problem sorted Lance, the reason I asked about opening Word first was that I belong to another forum were the problem with Word and the file association was a common one and a lot of people were helped by a file that the MVP's who run the site were able to send the posters and that solved the problem.