After looking for some time I finally purchased a little HP laptop computer and am pleased...HP came with Note Pad...a most basic word processor...I've used Office before and gave it some thought, but I believe it is way more than I need. I would like a word processor to change fonts, be able to make bold, underline, and change color. Can I get a FREE program to do that...or one with a few more bells and whistles for minimal money?THANKS!

Take a look at Open Office - it is an open source package that very closely duplicates Microsoft Office.

Check out Libre Office or Open Office. Both are of MS office suite and work very well, and are free.

Google "Open Office". It's a free word & spread sheet software that a lot of people and companies are switching to because of Microsoft’s high price and the large learning curve required ever time they produce a new version. It’s cross compatible with Microsoft but does have its differences.Dave

THANKS...and Dave brings up a very good point...the learning curve...exactly what I wanted to avoid...plus have a little extra money in my pocket...

While I like Open Office (and the somewhat better Libre Office), for basic word proccessing I usually use AbiWord- all of the word processing power without all of the extra office type functionality. Much lighter and faster than an office suite.

What is the best FREE word processor for windows

tenbear
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
dsteinman wrote:
You could also try Microsoft's Wordpad which should already be on your computer.

David

I just tried Wordpad. It wouldn't open .doc files but was fine with .docx. Was I doing something wrong? I tried it with 3 different .doc files.
AprilWhine
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
I like Google Docs.
eubank
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
I agree with David: Your Windows came with both Notepad and Wordpad.

-- Notepad is practically free of hidden code and great for coders, lousy for word processors.

-- Wordpad permits quite a lot of text control (fonts, etc.), all with hidden code. Crummy for coders, just fine for basic word processors.

:)
Lynn
dsteinman
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
You could also try Microsoft's Wordpad which should already be on your computer.

David
tenbear
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
I use Libre Office. Both Open Office and Libre Office had a common beginning as Open Office and a few years ago Open Office split in 2, Open Office and Libre Office. They are now similar but IMHO, Libre Office has progressed better since the split.

They are both free.
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Oct 28, 2013
While I like Open Office (and the somewhat better Libre Office), for basic word proccessing I usually use AbiWord- all of the word processing power without all of the extra office type functionality. Much lighter and faster than an office suite.
mikeleblanc413
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
THANKS...and Dave brings up a very good point...the learning curve...exactly what I wanted to avoid...plus have a little extra money in my pocket...
dbates
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
Google "Open Office". It's a free word & spread sheet software that a lot of people and companies are switching to because of Microsoft’s high price and the large learning curve required ever time they produce a new version. It’s cross compatible with Microsoft but does have its differences.

Dave
robsouth
Explorer II
Oct 28, 2013
Check out Libre Office or Open Office. Both are of MS office suite and work very well, and are free.
Traver8
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
Take a look at Open Office - it is an open source package that very closely duplicates Microsoft Office.

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What is the best FREE word processor for windows

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