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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments

51 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2015-08-11T12:24:08+00:00

    I had a very similar experience where all of my MS word docs were read only but it only occurred when my documents were stored in One Drive. Documents in other folders (and mainly my desktop) were okay.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-01T00:43:25+00:00

    Thanks Darwin123 for suggestion but does not apply in our circumstance.  Considering the loss of functionality and productivity, we've just had to completely abandon the idea of migrating our machines to 8/8.1 OS because of so-o-o-o many issues:

    • 4 times as many mouse clicks req'd to accomplish simple tasks;
    • Extremely irritating & time consuming changes made to Explorer file manager;
    • Carousels of productivity impeding Screens that won't reduce to windows (why continue to call it windows?!);
    • Lack of, or bizarre placement of, previously rudimentary controls;
    • SO MANY compatibility issues with 3rd party apps, peripheral equipment, and even MS's own apps!;
    • Etc, etc, etc.

    Here's wishing you better luck MS w/ OS10.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-07-30T10:00:47+00:00

    I found that the properties of the shortcut icon for Office that I had pinned to the task bar needed to be changed to 'Run as administrator'.  Right click on the icon, right click on the executable name, choose 'Run as administrator'. Done ...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-07-10T18:42:54+00:00

    Thank you very much!!

    This helped my problem.  I was getting very frustrated when I would save my documents and they would always have a funky name like W0007 or something because they were read onlys.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments