Windows 7 Home Edition problem with legacy VBS script

I've a VB script that's failing on the following line: 

with CreateObject("Word.Basic")

with the error:

Error     : ActiveX component can't create object 'Word.Basic'

Code    : 800A01AD

Source : Microsoft VBScript runtime error

It works on XP SP3, not on Windows 7 Home Edition. Thanks in advance for any help you may provide.