How to find the secret file of a .docx document? [Complete guide]

A file .docx is actually a disguised ZIP archive. Inside are several files XML, images, and layout data.

The format .docx was introduced with Microsoft Word 2007 and is now the standard format for Word documents.

To view these internal files, simply open the document with WinRAR, or rename it to .zip.

Video explaining how to locate the secret file in a .docx document!

To show you how it works in practice, here's a short video that sums it all up.

Explanatory video in French by Alucare, ideal complement to the page. View video (you can use YouTube's automatic translation)

How can I easily locate the hidden file in a .docx document?

The simplest method is to WinRAR, which allows you to open the .docx as an archive and access all its internal files. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Start by locate .docx document on your computer. If file extensions are not visible, configure Windows to display them. You can enable the display of extensions directly from the’File explorer, in the menu To display.

2. Once the file has been found, Right-click above and select Open with.

3. Several options appear for opening the document.

4. Choose WinRAR in the list. If you don't see it, click on More apps.

No WinRAR ? Make a copy of the file, then replace the’.docx file extension to .zip. Right-click the file .zip, then Extract All, opens the content directly in Windows Explorer, without any additional software.

5. Whether WinRAR is still not on the list, click on Search for another application on this PC.

6. Navigate to the installation folder for WinRAR on your PC.
7. Select WinRAR.exe in the list, then click on Open.

8. Now you see all the hidden information from .docx, as well as all the files inside it. You can also insert or delete files if required.

Check out the’file extension that opens with a word processor.

A .docx file is actually made up of several files

Once opened with WinRAR, the .docx reveals all of its internal files. These include, among others:

• the document content, stored in files XML that contain the text and structure of the document
• the style and the layout
• the text
• The pictures inserted
• Others data and information associated with the file

When you open a .docx Normally, Microsoft Word automatically extracts these files to display the document.

This modular structure makes it easier to edit and update content. It also allows you to retrieve the text a corrupted document by accessing the files directly XML internal.

A different scenario: Are you looking for a .docx file that has disappeared from your computer?

Sometimes, a file .docx hasn't disappeared; it's just hidden in a folder. In this case, the solution has nothing to do with the ZIP archive: it involves displaying the hidden files of your system for the return to.

1. Show hidden files in Windows

On Windows, hidden files do not appear by default in File Explorer. You must enable an option to make them visible and return to your documents.

Windows 11 :

1. Open the’File explorer from the taskbar.
2. Click on To displaythen on To display, and check Hidden elements.

On Windows 10 :

1. Open the’File explorer from the taskbar.
2. Select To display, then Options, and finally Modify folder and search options.
3. In the tab Display, checkbox Show hidden files, folders and drives, then confirm with OK.

Your files .docx Hidden files will then reappear in their folders, and you can open them normally using Word.

2. Show hidden files on a Mac

On Mac, a document hidden in the Finder can be accessed with a single keyboard shortcut.

1. Click the icon Finder in your Dock to open it.
2. Press Commande + Maj + . to display the hidden files in the folder.

To hide these files again, just create the same shortcut Commande + Maj + ..

For more tips on your Mac, check out how to change the color of a folder on macOS.

What software can I use to open a .docx document?

To open a .docx, you need software to word processing compatible. There are several tools that do the job very well:

• Microsoft Word (starting with version 2007)
• OpenOffice
• LibreOffice (free)
• Google Docs (read online)
• Apple Pages
• Word Viewer

These programs allow you to view and edit Word documents, including older versions .doc or the format .docx current.

On Windows as on Mac, a simple double-click Open the file with your default program. If you want to open it with a different program, right-click and select Open with.

Now you know how to access the secret files in a .docx via WinRAR, and how to find a hidden document on Windows Where Mac. No hidden file can stand a chance against you.