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. Anonymous
    2017-08-05T23:34:32+00:00

    Thank you I understand.

    First, Microsoft Support told me that the program opens all Word documents in Read Mode with no option to turn it off.

    I did go to the Trust file and verified the "Protected View" is turned off.

    In file block settings I only have Word 2, Word 6 and Word 95 which opens them in Protected view and allows editing.  Everything else is not checked at all.

    Trusted Documents I have allow documents on a Network to be Trusted.  I have a VPN off site that I use, not sure if that is considered a "network."

    Trusted locations I have several listed but I will get with my IT guy to see if we can add more and if that will help.

    I can create a Word document, attach it to an email, send it to myself and it open in Read Only.

    If I am just working on it, close it and open it back it does NOT go into Read Only.

    Therefore, a "Work Around" this is to save the document on the S Drive and close it and send an email to my partner, tell him to open it on the S Drive and allow him to edit and save the document and close it and tell me to look at it.

    That MAY work I guess.

    I do not know what a "Safe Mode" test is.  Sorry.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-08-05T23:52:40+00:00

    Thank you, there it is, the sound of the other shoe dropping ...

    Microsoft Support said that ALL word documents attached to emails ALL open in Read Only mode.

    That is the missing piece.

    That is correct. A file attached to an email cannot be opened for editing. PERIOD.

    I'm sorry, there is no "switch" to flip. The way that Outlook was originally designed does not allow for it. That is the way things are. You have to understand this and learn to work with the way things are.

    You have to "detach" or "download" the file from the email to local storage, either your HD (or OneDrive) before you can open it for editing.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-08-06T00:14:25+00:00

    Not sure about "originally designed" because we had Word 2010 and had NO issues with Read Only.

    For us, this became a problem when we upgraded to Word 2016.

    I have no idea WHEN MS changed Word to require Read Only but I believe it must be a modification added later.

    Some posting I read said it happened to them in an update a few years ago.

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  4. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-08-06T06:23:13+00:00

    Rohn007,

    Your statement:

    "That is correct. A file attached to an email cannot be opened for editing. PERIOD."

    is NOT CORRECT.  It will open in Protected View and there will be a yellow bar at the top of the screen that says:

    "PROTECTED VIEW, Be careful -  file from the internet can contain viruses.  Unless you need to edit, it's safer to stay in Protected View"

    and to the right of that text there is an "Enable Editing" button and if that button is used, the document will open in the normal Word window with the Ribbon visible.

    While documents that are in "Protected View" are read-only, NOT ALL read-only documents are in Protected View.

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-09-18T13:42:54+00:00

    Thanks Doug! This did the trick for me. I think what caused the read only issue with me is the box that said "Enable protected view for files originating from the internet" was checked and all my files are in my OneDrive, which are web based. Saved it and everything is fine.

    Thanks!

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