Word Always Opens Documents In Read-Only Mode / Subscription

Anonymous
2013-05-03T12:48:28+00:00

I'm working with documents stored on my local drive, and whenever I double-click on one to open and edit it, Word starts up and presents it in read-only mode.  If I close Word and then immediately double-click the document again, it opens up without the read-only indicator.

These are documents which are edited every day.  I'm wondering if the fact that they're stored in a folder which is monitored by a file synchronization application has anything to do with this.

Secondly, when I bought Office 365 Home Premium online, it appeared that my only option was the monthly plan, which ostensibly is more expensive than the yearly plan.  I don't see any way to change my account from monthly to yearly.  Am I missing something?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Stefan Blom 352.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-08-05T22:06:51+00:00

    You can post feedback for Microsoft in the Uservoice forum at http://word.uservoice.com.

    However, it is not clear which options you have actually tried. Perhaps you are seeing Read Mode rather than Protected View. In that case, clear the check mark next to "Open e-mail attachments and other uneditable files in reading view" at File | Options | General.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-08-05T20:37:54+00:00

    I was right.

    It is already turned off.

    A simple fix is to allow us to do the same for Read Only.

    I came from an older version of Word and frankly, I'm not impressed with the 2016 version.

    Just seems more like a way to generate more money.

    I was very happy with 2010 version.

    I have been reading people posting online for YEARS complaining about Read Only and still no quick and easy fix.

    Does anyone at Microsoft care what their customers think?

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-08-05T20:19:26+00:00

    I spent 2 hours on the telephone with Microsoft Support and going up the chain of command, and was told there is no way to turn off read only.

    Will try that but I suspect it is already turned off.

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  4. Stefan Blom 352.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-08-05T20:01:36+00:00

    Turning off Protected View should do what you want. (Just be careful when you open files from unknown senders.) See my previous reply.

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-08-05T19:52:51+00:00

    Thanks and I did post something under Office as an original string.

    I have a small office, no full-time IT guy, but I do have someone who loaded all the programs but he is not a 

    What you all are suggesting is to come up with some way to “work around” this read only setting that itself cannot be changed.

    Frankly, I am not a word specialist, but what I do know is when a program has something that cannot be turned off it is going to create issues.

    What I want is Microsoft to let me control its use by allowing me to turn the ^&^&^& thing off.

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    2 people found this answer helpful.
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