WPS Office Free 2014 (formerly Kingsoft Office)

[Joe A.TT]

Originally Posted by Anupam

Oh okay, I will download that one and check it out. Thanks.

So could this version save to the newer formats? Have you tested it yet? My machine is still down so I can't make a note.

[J_L]

Yes, that's why I recommended it in the first place. They've now taken down the bigger download now button, but the smaller one next to the presentation tab still works. But don't click that tab unless you want the 2013 version.

[Anupam]

I can confirm that the latest version of WPS Office 2014, 9.1.0.4932, does not allow you to save word files in docx format.

The version that J_L suggested is version 9.1.0.4759, but on installing it says 2014 Beta 3. So, it seems that it is a beta version, and I am somewhat uncomfortable using a beta version, even if it will work without an issue.

But yes, it does allow saving of word files in docx format.

Well, I will keep this version installed on my PC. Let's see. I have kept Kingsoft Office 2013 with me, in case I have to go back to it.

But it does make you feel cheated, and makes you wonder if the company made users try the free version to see if it worked well, and when the software was indeed considered excellent, and was proving to be a great alternative to MS Office, they introduced a commercial version, and put restrictions on the long running free version. Makes the users of free version, like beta users. It's bait and switch.

[Joe A.TT]

Anupam, I suppose you are referring to version 9.1.0.4550. I see Softpedia has that version listed here with the following note...

Please note that we will not update Kingsoft Office Free to WPS Office Free, since the updated software does not come with a freeware version, it only comes as a trial edition listed here.

[Anupam]

No Joe, I wasn't referring to version 9.1.0.4550. If you notice, that's the version 2013. This is the last version of Kingsoft Office, before it became WPS Office. This is the version that has full features for free, including saving as docx, etc.

However, the version that J_L provided link for, downloads the version 9.1.0.4759, which is what my post was about. That's the version for WPS Office 2014, but as I wrote in my post, the version exactly is 2014 Beta 3, which is a beta version. But, it does have the ability to save files in docx.

The final (and also the latest) version for WPS Office 2014 is 9.1.0.4932, which does not allow you to save to docx formats.

[Joe A.TT]

Now you've really got me confused. I post #23 you say...

Originally Posted by Anupam

I have kept Kingsoft Office 2013 with me, in case I have to go back to it.

...and now in post #25 you say...

Originally Posted by Anupam

No Joe, I wasn't referring to version 9.1.0.4550. If you notice, that's the version 2013. This is the last version of Kingsoft Office, before it became WPS Office. This is the version that has full features for free, including saving as docx, etc.

In other words, 9.1.0.4550 is not the last version of Kingsoft before it became WPS and that is the version that you are referring to.

Could you tell me what version number that is?

[Jojo Yee]

I'm keeping Kingsoft Office 2013 (version 9.1.0.4550) for Windows, probably also known as "last free unlimited version" which can save Word and Excel files in docx and xlsx formats, the pptx output format has not been supported in that version though. The newer free versions are named WPS Office with more limited features.

I hate to see the Online Template to start with Kingsoft Office, but there're two ways to disable it.

The Easy Way:
1. Open a blank document.
2. Go to Options > General and Save
3. Select "Start with: New Document"

The Hard Way:
1. Run regedit
2. Browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Kingsoft\Office\6.0\com mon
3. Add a new key "wpshomeoptions"
4. Under the new key, add the following string values:
Name: StartWithHome, Value data: 0
Name: StartWithBlank, Value data: 1

[J_L]

Originally Posted by Joe A.TT

Now you've really got me confused. I post #23 you say......and now in post #25 you say...

In other words, 9.1.0.4550 is not the last version of Kingsoft before it became WPS and that is the version that you are referring to.

Could you tell me what version number that is?

I'm confused on how you became confused. Anupam clearly states 9.1.0.4550 aka 2013 is the last version of Kingsoft before it became WPS.

What we were referring to is 9.1.0.4759 aka 2014 Beta 3, which is the last version of WPS Office before it became a feature-limited trial.

[Anupam]

Joe, sorry for the confusion. I had hoped my post would be clear... guess not .

Well, your post itself was confusing.

Originally Posted by Joe A.TT

Anupam, I suppose you are referring to version 9.1.0.4550. I see Softpedia has that version listed here with the following note...

It was not clear in your post as to which part of my post you were referring to. I had a thought that you might be referring to the part about keeping Kinsoft Office 2013, but again, I wasn't sure. I then thought you might be referring to something else.

Anyways, to make myself clear again, when I talked about keeping Kingsoft Office 2013, I was referring to the version 9.1.0.4550. That's the last version of WPS Office as Kingsoft Office, and also the pure free version, without any trial version, or any limitations.

I have also kept and installed the 2014 Beta 3 version (9.1.0.4759) of WPS Office, which does have the ability to save files as docx format, but it is a beta version.

I hope it's clear now .

Thanks Jojo for the tip about Online Template. I too was going to find out how to disable it... irritates me too.

[Joe A.TT]

Originally Posted by Anupam

Well, your post itself was confusing.

Sorry about that, and thanks for taking the time to explain. It's clear now.