How to make Word my default word processor instead of Wordpad?

I am using Microsoft Office 2007 on my Vista system. Whenever I open any text file, by default wordpad opens up. I want Microsoft Word instead of wordpad. Is there a way to disable that. I am also ready to completely remove wordpad. I tried to locate the settings inside Microsoft Office but nothing was provided.

You can do that by modifying the same through Default Programs. It is located inside Control Panel. In Program Default you can simply add a specific file to handle specific application only. You can change the section of opening a text file to Microsoft Office. Another simple way to deal with this is simply right click on the text file and then click on Open with. Then click on Choose Program and from the current window choose word and tick on the below box -- always use this. Click OK. The next time when you double click those files Word will open up.

Hi...

You can do it very simply, the problem is that you double click on the file and the wordpad might be your default program to open such files. in order to make ms office or any other word processor, RIGHT click on that file, SELECT open as, and from the new window SELECT microsoft Word. Open it and you are done!!!