How to Corrupt a Word File

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Multiple methods for corrupting a Word file

Co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using an Online File Corrupter

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Using a Notepad for Windows

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Changing File Extensions in Windows

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Changing File Extensions on a Mac

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Q&A

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Warnings

Want to corrupt an Office document to prank your friends? Or is it because it has confidential information that needs to be destroyed? Well, this wikiHow will teach you how to corrupt a Microsoft Office document (or anything else) so it cannot be opened!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using an Online File Corrupter

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Go to https://corrupt-a-file.net in a web browser. Corrupt-a-File is a free tool that will corrupt any document you upload.
It's under "Select the file to corrupt." This opens your computer's file browser.

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The name of the file will appear under "Select the file to corrupt."
This uploads the file and corrupts it.
You'll see this option once the file is ready.
This downloads the corrupted file to your computer.
If you have Word on your computer, double-clicking the file should attempt to open it in that app. You'll see an error saying there's a problem with the content. Click Okay to proceed, and then Word will try (and fail) to repair or recover the content.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using a Notepad for Windows

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You'll find it in the Start menu in a menu called Windows Accessories.
The file browser will appear.
It's at the bottom-right corner of the file browser—the one set to Text Documents (*.txt) by default.
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Select the document and click Open. A bunch of gibberish will appear in the Notepad window.
- You can use any Office document you wish—the content doesn't matter since nobody will be able to open the file.
Seven or eight lines should be enough. However, do not delete all the text as this will prevent the file from being corrupted properly.
The "Save As" window will appear.
It's at the bottom of the window.
This version of the file is now corrupt.
If you have Office on your computer, double-clicking the file should attempt to open it in that app. You should see an error message saying there is a problem with the content. Click Okay to proceed, and then Word will try (and fail) to repair or recover the content.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Changing File Extensions in Windows

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1
Make sure file extensions are visible. File extensions are not shown by default. Here's how to enable them now:^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

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- Open the Windows search bar and type file options.
- Click File Explorer Options in the results list.
- Click the View tab at the top of the window.
- Remove the check mark from "Hide extensions for known file types" under "Advanced Settings."
- Click OK.
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Find a file that isn't a Word or text document. You'll want to start with a file that can't be opened in Word, such as an image file (e.g., .jpeg, .gif, .png) or a sound clip (e.g., .wav, .mp3, .ogg). You'll be using this file to make a fake corrupted Word document.
- Since you'll be corrupting the file, be sure to choose one you don't care about. You can also make a copy of the file before changing its extension if you wish to preserve it.
This highlights the file name, which means it's now editable.^{[2]
X
Research source}
For example, if you're working with a file called file.jpg, replace ".jpg" with .docx.^{[3]
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Research source}
You'll see a pop-up asking if you're sure you want to rename the file.
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Click Yes. The file is now saved as a .docx file or whatever you saved it as. If you try opening the file in Word, you'll see an error that says it's been corrupted.
- If you want to hide file extensions again, return to the View tab in File Explorer Options and check the "Hide extensions for known file types" box.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Changing File Extensions on a Mac

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1
Make sure file extensions are visible. File extensions are not shown by default. Here's how to enable them now:^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Open Finder
  .
- Click the Finder menu near the top-left corner of the screen.
- Click Preferences.
- Click the Advanced tab (it's the one with the gear).
- Check the box next to "Show all filename extensions."
- Click the red circle at the top-left corner of the window to close it.
2
Find a file that isn't an Office or text document. You'll want to start with a file that can't be opened in Word, such as an image file (e.g., .jpeg, .gif, .png) or a sound clip (e.g., .wav, .mp3, .ogg). You'll be using this file to make a fake corrupted Word document.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Since you'll be corrupting the file, be sure to choose one you don't care about. You can also make a copy of the file before changing its extension if you wish to preserve it.
The file name should now be highlighted in blue, which means its' editable.^{[6]
X
Research source}
For example, if you're working with a file called file.jpg, replace ".jpg" with .docx.
You'll see a message asking you if you're sure you want to change the file extension.^{[7]
X
Research source}
6
Click Use .docx. The file is now saved as a .docx file. If you try opening the file in Word, you'll see an error that says it's been corrupted.
- If you want to hide the file extensions in Finder, return to Finder > Preferences > Advanced and remove the check mark from "Show all filename extensions."

Community Q&A

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Question

How can schools know you corrupted your document like that?

Community Answer

If you are known to dislike school work, always 'forgetting' to do your homework, and you happened to turn in a corrupted document, then it is obvious you corrupted it to avoid doing schoolwork. However, if you always do your schoolwork without complaining, have no history of 'forgetting' homework, and have good grades, you might get away with it, as the only way the school can know is if you tell them, or if it is obvious as described above.

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Warnings

Do not use files you might need later on, as corrupted files are pretty hard to recover. Always create a dummy file or use a copy of a real document.

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If you want to corrupt a file to excuse yourself from an electronically submitted school or college assignment, be very careful. Schools are becoming much more aware of this trick and some classes will give you a zero right away for turning in a corrupted document. Read your school's policies on the matter before you go ahead with this.

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