Remove dead links from Word Documents.

I have a significant number of documents containing links to other documents. The problem is the links are no longer used in the documents but they still exist and point to deprecated sub-documents on a file server that is no longer in service. When the document is opened word tries to follow the links and takes 1.5 to 1.75 minutes to decide they are not there and finally opens the document.

I have tried applications that are supposed to remove links, most fail to see the links, those that do see them don’t seem to be able to delete them or else don’t recognise them as a vaild link that can be broken or deleted.

I’m open to suggestions or recommendations.