How do I turn off READ ONLY permanently???

Anonymous
2016-10-02T07:44:44+00:00

I'm sick of office locking my files to Read Only.

I have files I use all the time in my one drive folder, I'll open one and word decides it is Read Only and to make a change I need to save it as a new name.

I email a file to my wife to read, she makes changes and emails it back...now its Read Only.

How do disable this frustrating crap interfering with my workflow?  It's making me crazy!!!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-12-06T07:14:32+00:00

    the same thing happens in windows explorer.  I have a folder with multiple documents in it.  I turn off read only at folder level (and all subfolders) , click apply and then OK.  

    The next time I go into that folder, or open an old document, it is read only again.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-24T23:07:19+00:00

    I am having the same problem even after turning off read-only as you described above.  I uncheck it, click on apply then click on save and every time I open the document it still defaults back to read-only.

    any ideas?

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-06T07:32:32+00:00

    Yes, that's my experience also Maria, unchecking "Read Only" does nothing.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-06T07:30:48+00:00

    email attachments AND any word document saved on c drive.  I have looked for a default in word but I cannot find anything.  Regardless, even after right clicking on a doc in windows explorer and unchecking 'read only' and applying and saving, it still reverts to read only next time I open it.

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-12-06T07:26:06+00:00

    I've had the same issue as Maria, but not recently.

    I don't use Outlook, but Emailed Docs are always open in Read Only, it's Big Brother overkill!  I need to be able to turn it off, I'm constantly working on a doc, emailing it out to a co worker and they email it back with changes, every time it has to be saved with a new name....frustrating!

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