Free or low-cost, dirt simple, Word Processing Software

[4DSJW]

My parents are in their late 80's and are becoming more and more overwhelmed by all of the "choices" they have in MS Word (on a Windows PC). They both used to be a wiz at MS Word, but age has caught up with them, and all the icons just confuse them. I suggested they could try Libre Office, but that is not any better for their situation.

There is a second issue, the software would have to have the templates for Avery Labels built in, or at least be able to download the Avery Label templates off the Avery site (and function seamlessly with the software).

Is there a dirt-simple, bare-bones, easy to use, word processing software package out there for Windows machines? A free download would be great, but low cost works almost as well. Hoping y'all have some personal experience you can share. TIA!

[deerdeerdeer]

Googlr Documents

[foxtrotuniformlima]

I know there is something called OpenOffice - not sure of its features but it is free

[xrMike]

Notepad maybe? 😃

[Scratch705]

yep, as some said

Google Documents
Open Office

two of the best free word document programs that mimics microsoft office, and will even open MS Word files without much problem.

[randomBytes]

OP sorry, I would expect changing to something new no matter how simple would be just as frustrating.

[AtomicOrange]

I use LibreOffice. It's an entire suite of office software. Can read Word and Excel files, etc. But, as you mentioned, it is not bare bones or simple...

[BakoJ]

OpenOffice Writer is as close to older versions of MS Word as you can get. It's free and very easy to use. It has everything - spreadsheets and presentations, too.

[4DSJW]

OP sorry, I would expect changing to something new no matter how simple would be just as frustrating.

This is my concern as well. If they used to be able to use MS Word, and now have trouble remembering how, something new will be as bad... or worse. I told them I would look into the options, so here I am, asking the question. Thank you everyone, for all your suggestions, appreciate the help.

[arrix]

WordPad?

[Harry Ono]

My parents are in their late 80's and are becoming more and more overwhelmed by all of the "choices" they have in MS Word (on a Windows PC). They both used to be a wiz at MS Word, but age has caught up with them, and all the icons just confuse them. I suggested they could try Libre Office, but that is not any better for their situation.

for $30 you can purchase ... a product called addintools which puts back the drop down classic menu before the ribbons in Word, Excel, Outlook. So they go back to prior versions GUI while using their current version of MS on the same machine. Its really really good.

https://www.addintools.com/documents/word/03-vs-10/03-10-reference-menu.html

shot-tools-small.jpg

[high_revs]

I know there is something called OpenOffice - not sure of its features but it is free

i used staroffice eons ago. unsure if still around but that met my needs.

[Fastattack]

I don't know of anything that does labels and is simple. Almost by definition, if it can do labels, it has to have a decent amount of complexity to begin with.

Also, Libre Office and Open Office (and Star Office) share a common lineage. I prefer Libre since it is current. However, they will all be as complex as Word, and even a bit less intuitive in many regards.

Perhaps you can setup some sort of a turn-key system for them by using Word or Libre with a macro front-end to simplify their job of printing labels.
Good luck.

[MrFancyPants]

Low cost and dirt simple?

Wordpad

[67Cuda]

Get what they are familiar with. It will be easier for all involved.