Keep WordStar Conversion Offline

What “local” actually means

The converter does not need WordStar installed and does not send document bytes to our servers. Website analytics on the download page are not your files.

Read from disk → parse in process memory → write DOCX/PDF beside the originals (or into an output tree). That is the entire path for conversion.

Why WordStar folders are sensitive

The same disks that hold novels and newsletters also hold engagement letters, personnel notes, medical correspondence, and unpublished manuscripts. Extension age is not a risk classifier — content is.

Cloud converters create a second copy on infrastructure you do not control. Even “deleted after 24 hours” policies still mean the bytes left your custody.

Air-gapped and regulated desks

If the workstation cannot reach the internet after install, conversion still works. License activation and MSI download are separate from document processing. Keep the archive on the secure volume; point the app at that volume only.

Practical checklist

• Copy legacy files to a working folder; leave masters read-only elsewhere.
• Convert samples first; review DOCX/PDF before the full batch.
• Prefer watch folders on an internal share over emailing `.ws` attachments.
• Log the run locally if your retention policy needs a conversion record.