Word Docs/Excel Opening as Read Only after MS Update

Anonymous
2013-08-15T18:27:44+00:00

Team after this weeks update from Microsoft all my Word and Excel documents that I create save fine, but when I open them they open in Read only mode.  I have to keep performing a save as with a new file name to get by the issue.    I also get an error that I had not received  before when opening some older Word and Excel documents.  The error reads "There was a problem sending the command to the program".  I click on OK and the error goes away and the document opens, but again in Read only mode.  HELP....

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2013-08-16T07:00:20+00:00

Hi,

As I understand when you save and open the document, the documents open in read only mode and you also receive an error message while opening the documents. Let me assist you with the issue.

Follow the steps mentioned and check if it helps:

Step 1: Check if Office applications are running in compatibility mode:

·         Browse to the location mentioned below:

For Win7 32 bit:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\ClentX86 \Root\Office15

For Win7 64 bit:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX64\Root\Office15

·         Right click on WINWORD.EXE< Properties< Compatibility

·         Uncheck the box Run this Program in Compatibility Mode, ensure you also click on the option change settings for all users tab at the bottom of the same screen

·         Click on Apply and Ok.

·         Open Word and check if it works.

Note: If Word works fine then follow the above steps for Excel applications (EXCEL.EXE)

Step 2: Check the option to save the Word or Excel files in read only mode is check:

·         Open Word document.

·         Click on File< Save As< Browse to the location where you want to save the file.

·         Click on arrow mark pointing downwards next to Tools and click on General Options.

·         Ensure the option Read-only recommended is unchecked and click Ok.

·         Now try to save the document, re-pen the saved document and check.

Step 3: Repair Office 2013 installation:

If the above steps do not fix the issue then repair Office 2013 installation and check. Refer the link mentioned to repair Office 2013 installation:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-in/project-help/repair-or-remove-office-HA010357402.aspx

I hope the above suggestion helps. Let us know if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-01-08T22:43:50+00:00

    Patricia:  My problem was that there was a "trial version" of Office 2007 that came with my laptop.  I never used it / didn't want it but even though it expired over two years ago, it kept trying to activate every time the MS monthly updates downloaded.  Maybe you have a similar issue?  There are lots of other "FIXIT" remedies on the site I went to, so maybe there is one for your situation.   

    Anyway for me the only way to get rid of the trial version of Office 7 was by following the instructions below which were sent to me by someone else on this site.  If I just ran the FIXIT for Office 2013, it fixed the problem until the next MS monthly update, then the trial version of Office 2007 would kick in and confuse everything.   

    So here's what was sent to me, give it a try and best of luck! 

    I suggest you to run 'Fix it' from the following link to ensure there are no remnants of Office 2007 and then repair Office 2013 and verify whether issue re-surfaces upon installing updates:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928218 (Method 2)

    Note: Save the ‘Fix it’ before running it if you’re working on 64 bit Windows.

    If issue still occurs, remove Office 2013 running the 'Fix it' from the following link, re-install it and install all the updates and verify the result:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2739501

    Note: Save the ‘Fix it’ before running it if you’re working on 64 bit Windows. Ensure that you have the installation source and the product key to re-install.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-08T15:52:12+00:00

    I am having this same problem with Excel 2013 in Windows 8 (64 bit). Can you please post instructions for this? Thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-09-29T17:01:14+00:00

    I just had the same issue when I changed a user on a computer on my network.  I could open the files from my server, but anything I opened was "Read Only."  I tried repairing my Office 2010, changing permissions, entering a new user. As a last resort, I deleted the icon shortcut that opens the target file folder, e.g., "Client" folder.  I created the shortcut again.  This worked for me... no more  "Read Only."  I hope this helps.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-08-18T01:29:22+00:00

    Anula:

    Many thanks for your response.  Neither Word nor Excel were set to save as "read only", so I tried the quick fix and that resolved the problem.  This is the second time this has happened to me.  It seems to follow a Microsoft monthly update.  Last time I re-installed Office 2013, which took time and I had to re-register my software, so the quick fix was a nice alternative.  Thanks again.

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