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
    2015-08-25T03:26:34+00:00

    When I upgraded from Windows 7 to Window10 I found all my Word/Excel documents in read only mode. I reverted back to 7 but the documents remained in Read Only. I finally found out that the upgrade confused my primary user account with my other user account. I deleted the user account but saved it files. Now all my Word/Excel documents are no longer read only. I probably didn't need to revert back to 7. I would recommend to anyone upgrading to Windows 10 to delete all other user accounts before the upgrade, then add in the accounts.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-24T14:14:14+00:00

    Hi All

    Had this today but have fixed it by doing this, my work folder had sharing on at the bottom of the screen (windows 10 pro, office 2007) and so looked at the top menu selected share icon and clicked stop sharing padlock and now it saves.

    Hope this helps, i can explain a bit better but seems straight forward.

    Kind regards

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-18T13:24:34+00:00

    When I clicked the icon on the desktop and selected properties, there was no "Compatibility tab".

    My main issues now are with Publisher. I cannot save it on the cloud. Even after clicking the icon when I hit the windows button and click "Run as administrator", it seems like every time I restart my computer, it reverts and I have to do the same thing again.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-08-18T12:57:27+00:00
    1. I had to Right Click on the Excel Desktop Icon then Click on "Properties"

    2. Click on the "Compatibility tab"

    1. Click on "Change settings for all users" button
    2. Click "Run this program as an administrator" 

    After this change the Excel Spreadsheets didn't open in "Read Only"

    The procedure worked.  Why was I not warned?  Next process involves Google Earth Pro.  It dissappeared and I cannot download either.

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