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
    2017-05-08T04:11:34+00:00

    Opening a Word document opens now in READ ONLY.  I hear it was the result of an update.  What is wrong with Microsoft?  Perhaps you should stop outsourcing India to write your code.  Very disappointed.  NO answers to this.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-12-19T16:23:58+00:00

    My problem is with MS Word 2016, not 2015 - the above instructions do not work with MS Word 2016. I am a published author, working on my second book, and this problem of the program arbitrarily creating a "Read Only" document is driving me nuts. I've renamed the text so many times, I'm not sure which is the correct one. PLEASE, PLEASE FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. With so many of us having the same problem, someone should stop daydreaming and ignite the flame of research.

    Thank you.

    go to setting, system, programs, apps and features, MS office 365, modify, allow the app to make changes, and do a repair. It works for me every time. Your old document will reappear. It's very annoying, but it does work.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-12-18T23:27:27+00:00

    My problem is with MS Word 2016, not 2015 - the above instructions do not work with MS Word 2016. I am a published author, working on my second book, and this problem of the program arbitrarily creating a "Read Only" document is driving me nuts. I've renamed the text so many times, I'm not sure which is the correct one. PLEASE, PLEASE FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. With so many of us having the same problem, someone should stop daydreaming and ignite the flame of research.

    Thank you.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-12-16T01:01:51+00:00

    It is NOT a read-only or protected mode issue at all. It is that Office is broken and must be repaired after every update. All of the many offered fixes do not fix it. Now I know, if there's an update, try to open a Work or Excel document to see if it is renamed and converted to read only. If it is, then repair Office.

    Come on, Microsoft. Get it together.

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