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
    2015-08-15T08:01:54+00:00

    I had a similar problem and found a fix. Of all the Office apps, only Excel insisted on opening documents as read-only, unless Excel was 'Run as administrator'. This only happened after the Win10 update.

    The fix:

    Right click on your Documents Folder.

    Select the Security Tab.

    Click Edit under the 'Group or user names' box.

    In the top box of the next dialog, click on the Home Users line.

    In the lower box click the Full Control check box.

    Click Apply button at the bottom.

    You will likely get  a number message boxes indication that some of the subfolders could not be changed. Just click Ok on each and allow them to close.

    However, this did fix my issues with Office, and happily, another piece of software I use (FinePrint). So although I was logged in as Administrator, it seems some apps use the Home user settings, not the Administrator setting. Not sure if this is an issue of the computer's settings being wrong or corrupt, or a bug in the software. But back in business!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-14T15:31:37+00:00

    Sorry, but I'm not an IT expert. I'm just a plain old guy who has a basic knowledge of computers and can't understand how a company could screw things up so badly with their updates -- then expect customers to solve the problem themselves. Since this is the second time this has happened to me, I'm moving to Apple.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-14T14:32:26+00:00

    Thank you 7churches. This all occurred when I upgraded to windows 10. Yours is the simplest fix (I even remoted in Microsoft support). I'll know when I go to open, edit and save. Thanks.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-08-14T04:40:12+00:00

    I assume you have Windows 7, 8 or 10. I have 10  which like 7 has a "start" key. Your keyboard should also have a Windows key.  That will bring up your program list.  Find the ones you need to fix.  One at a time place the cursor over the WORD logo and right click and another list should appear--one on that list should be "run as administrator".  Click that and you should again have control of your computer.

    Make sure you office programs are all shut down when you do this. Good luck

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