Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

William Clifford Hunter

Jeffrey E Larsson

Gordon B Church

James W Elder

Sunil Puri

Determining, prior to operation of an application program module, that a foreign file format is fully convertible to a native file format. Full conversion of the foreign file format means that a significant majority of the style and presentation of the content of the foreign file are preserved after conversion to the native file format. Prior to an attempted file conversion by the application program module, the filename extension of the foreign file is examined. If the filename extension is recognized as indicating that the foreign file is fully convertible, the application program module is commanded to access and convert the foreign file to the native file format. If the filename extension does not indicate that the foreign file is fully convertible, a determination is made as to whether the filename extension is registered in an operating system registry. If the filename extension is registered, it is considered not to a WordPerfect file and is ignored. If no determination can be made from the filename extension as to whether the foreign file is fully convertible and the filename extension is not registered, the internal structure of the foreign file is examined. If examination of the internal structure of the foreign file reveals that it is fully convertible, the application program module is commanded to access and convert the foreign file to the native file format. When no determination can be made, either from the filename extension or the internal file structure, that the foreign file is fully convertible, the file is ignored and no conversion is attempted by the application program module.

Automatic file format converter

Storing settings related to an application in a settings file for transport to a second computer. A software module reads an initialization file identifying the possible settings related to the application, and identifying the locations of those settings. The software module reads the settings from those locations, including a system registry as well as individual files associated with the application. The software module stores the settings in a settings file. The settings file is transported to the second computer, or the second computer reads the settings file over a network. The software module may execute at the second computer and write the settings from the settings file to the appropriate locations on the second computer.

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Bothell, WA, United States of America

William Clifford Hunter