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
    2015-02-06T13:50:10+00:00

    I had the same issue when I updated my computer to Office 2013.

    This is what I did and took care of it:

    I opened Word (not in safe mode)

    Click on File

    Then click on Options

    Under the General tab, items at the bottom of the list:

               Under "Tell me if Microsoft Word isn't the default program for viewing and editing documents",

               You will see: " Open e-mail attachments and other uneditable files in reading view".

    Make sure you uncheck the selection, click OK, then close Word. 

    Then I try to open the file again (My issue was with files received via email), and it was no longer in reading mode. Hope this helps. 

    Nestor

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-02-25T16:43:00+00:00

    I did this, added C:\ and told it to propagate to all subdirectories.

    Did not fix the problem.

    Changed all the attributes listed on all the responses in this chain. 

    Still doesn't help.

    Any other ideas?

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  3. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-02-26T02:31:17+00:00

    I would not be surprised if there was something that prevented you from specifying the root folder of the C: drive and all of its subfolders as trusted locations.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-05-22T14:37:59+00:00

    Awesome!  Thanks.  The exact solution I was looking for in my situation.

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-08-20T10:01:16+00:00

    I had this problem too! For me, it would open normally if I opened it from Windows Explorer, but not if I opened it anywhere within Word (recent items menu and open menu). The first time I opened the document, it came up in compatibility mode (we used to use 2003) AND reading mode. Then the 2nd time I opened it in the ways previously mentioned it would say that last time it was opened in reading mode, do you want to use reading mode again? 

    After much time wasted (re-installing Office 2013, then clearing all settings, then re-installing both Office 2013 and Office 2003, none of which worked), here's the solution: 

    Open document using Windows Explorer (assuming it opens normally like this). Then go to File --> New Blank Document. Close the old document, then open while in the new document. It should open normally then, and from now on! Wish I thought of this before wasting 3 hours....

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