Microsoft apologises for blocking formats

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 8 Jan 2008 at 09:54

Microsoft has apologised for the way it blocked certain older file formats in the Service Pack 3 update for Office 2003, and has created new tools to make it easier for users to regain access to these files.

In December Microsoft issued a security advisory explaining the risks inherent in retaining support for older file formats, as it attempted to explain why it had been blocked them.

At the time the company claimed that older file formats were insecure, but has since altered its stance.

"We did a poor job of describing the default format changes. A file format isn't insecure - it's the code that reads the format that's more or less secure," says David LeBlanc, a security technologist at Microsoft, in a blog post.

Users who wanted to continue using the file formats had to follow a complex procedure that involved editing the registry.

Microsoft has now released separate tools which can be used to unblock Word, Excel, PowerPoint and CorelDraw file formats for use with Office, which can be downloaded here.

"If you're among the users who do need to be opening these formats, we will continue to support you. We also recognise that we have not made any of this as usable as we'd like, and we apologise that this hasn't been as well documented or as easy as you need it to be. We're also going to take a hard look at how we can do better in the future," says LeBlanc.

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