$myapp = new COM(\"word.application\"); // returns a fatal error: \"Class \'COM\' not found in c:/www/comConnector.php\" shell_exec(\"whoami\"); //returns \"NT authorit
Since you are using PHP 5.3.16, make sure that you are pointing to the global namespace:
$myapp = new \COM("word.application");
Even though your PHP file might be in global namespace already, but it's a good practice.