Opening Word in random read-only mode
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Guilhot
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Guilhot Posted messages 202 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
Guilhot Posted messages 202 Registration date Status Member Last intervention -
Hello,
when I open one of my files, it happens almost once out of two times that I cannot save the changes I make because it opens in "read-only" mode, and I have to rename it in order to save my changes.
On this forum, I received a very good piece of advice from Albkan, who suggested that I press F12 to check if my file is indeed in read-only mode; the corresponding box is unchecked, so I should be able to save my changes. Indeed, if I close the file without saving and open it again, it is no longer in read-only mode... I can then modify it and save it.
I have the impression that, by default, Word opens all my files in "read-only" mode; I don't know how to change that... if anyone knows, I would be eternally grateful because it's really annoying...
Thank you in advance
Configuration: Windows / Firefox 48.0
when I open one of my files, it happens almost once out of two times that I cannot save the changes I make because it opens in "read-only" mode, and I have to rename it in order to save my changes.
On this forum, I received a very good piece of advice from Albkan, who suggested that I press F12 to check if my file is indeed in read-only mode; the corresponding box is unchecked, so I should be able to save my changes. Indeed, if I close the file without saving and open it again, it is no longer in read-only mode... I can then modify it and save it.
I have the impression that, by default, Word opens all my files in "read-only" mode; I don't know how to change that... if anyone knows, I would be eternally grateful because it's really annoying...
Thank you in advance
Configuration: Windows / Firefox 48.0
4 answers
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Guilhot,
As far as I'm concerned, I find the problem, if not fascinating, at least very interesting because it comes up frequently but no one has definitively found THE solution, except on a case-by-case basis which led me to enumerate 4 possible scenarios.
There is another one, which is the "read-only" under Windows of the folder (not to be confused with the files) that contains your documents. But I don't think that's your case.
You have tested Word's default settings (the boxes to uncheck).
In my opinion, the "normal.dotm" is not involved here.
I suggest you try the following test which costs nothing:
- keep the [Ctrl] key pressed and launch Word
- accept opening in "safe mode"
- and test your documents.
Finally, you may have already written it, but I'm a bit too lazy to read the entire thread: How do you open your documents? From Word (File | Open)? or from Windows Explorer by double-clicking on the document?
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C-Claire-
Good evening, I generally open my files by double-clicking from the explorer.
Here’s the answer to your question, but I thought about it while eating (some men are capable of doing two things at once!!!). I use Word a lot to write my bridge courses where I need the heart, spade, club, and diamond symbols. So I created macros to insert these symbols in black and color. I had to change my computer at the end of 2015 and buy the new version of Office; I believe that’s when I made a mistake: it’s very possible that when recreating these macros I saved them in a normal.dotm with a file that might have been opened as read-only.
So tonight, I recreated my macros and saved a file as a template (with macros) and miracle, after turning the computer off and on again I opened the file from this afternoon and it wasn't read-only... let’s hope it lasts...
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and good evening, I will declare the subject as resolved while crossing my fingers. I will come back to it if the problem happens again. -
So congratulations to Albkan! His suggestion was the right one from the start.
But something escapes me. If the Normal.dotm is read-only, I don't see how you were able to save changes to it.
For your old files, rename this Normal.dotm to whatever you want, Word will create a new one, and run some tests. Or rename your new template to Normal.dotm.
Thank you for this detailed and informative feedback.
C-Claire -
Hello C-Claire
Well this morning we're back to square one: I open the bridge file, it opens in read-only; I close it without saving, I open it again, and it opens without being in read-only. I don't understand anything. I checked the "normal.dotm", and in the properties the read-only box is not checked...
I will have to declare the problem unresolved to see if someone can find an explanation.
Thank you. -
Hello again; I just did all the checks suggested by Albkan and I went to see the "Custom templates for Word". There are actually 2 Doc1s and one of them has a symbol that looks like a little parchment (it supports macros, the other one is not supposed to support them but my macros work when I open the doc1 file without the "parchment").
One last point, when I open Word for the first time (after shutting down and turning on the computer), there is an ultra-quick message that flashes (illegible) in the Word frame. At that moment, any file opens in read-only; if I exit Word and then go to any file, I open it normally (without it being read-only) and opening Word happens without the intermediate message... go figure. (I'm copying this for Albkan).
I look forward to hearing from either of you, have a good weekend. -
Guilhot,
Have you tried the workaround I gave you in a previous response:
- hold down the [Ctrl] key and launch Word
- accept opening in "safe mode"
- and test your documents.
Open your documents from Word in this mode. If it works, come back to know the next steps. If not, still come back ;-)
PS: I have the impression that in Windows Explorer, the extensions of your file names are not displayed (.docx, .docm, .xlsx, etc.). You mention "2 Doc1" and describe the icons. Albkan pointed it out: "Windows Explorer hides known file extensions".
You should display them for better comfort:
- open Windows Explorer
- tab [View]
- check "File name extensions".
You should then have a "Doc1.docx" and a "Doc1.docm". This won't solve the problem, but it will be more comfortable.
PS2: If the macros work in your Doc1.docx, it means they are in the underlying template but not in that document. If your 2 Docs are not confidential, you can upload them to https://www.cjoint.com/ and come back to give us the links you will get.
C-Claire
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Hello The_boss_68,
I looked at your link to the faq-word site from m@rina, but the article is about
the full-screen reading mode, it's not related to displaying a
document in read-only mode; thanks anyway for trying.
I'm not sure about the solution I proposed in my message #2,
but maybe it will have a better chance?
Best regards. 😊
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Hello Guilhot,
Here are some possible reasons for the "read-only" status:
1. The document has been intentionally or unintentionally set to read-only.
2. It is an attachment to a message or a document downloaded from the web.
3. The document is saved in an unapproved location.
4. The document is already "open," not necessarily visible in Word, but for example, in the Navigation Pane of Windows 64-bit Explorer.
I believe albkan responded to your previous message regarding point 1.
For point 4, with Windows 10 and Word 2016, I think that no longer applies (not certain though).
For points 2 and 3, I would start by checking in Word:
- tab [File] | "Options" | "Trust Center" (to the left)
- button [Trust Center Settings] (at the bottom right)
- "Protected View" (to the left)
- disable the top 3 boxes and run a test again.
Reactivate any boxes you deem necessary.
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C-Claire-
Hello and thank you, I've followed the instructions but reading what's related to the 3 checkboxes, I'm hesitant to uncheck them, I don't want to pick up anything from the Internet while the issue I'm facing only concerns my own files in my folders that only reside in my directory... if it persists I'll still give it a try, thanks for your help; I'll keep you updated.
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And we’re having fun........
I unchecked the 3 boxes, closed, turned off the computer, turned it back on, clicked on the file that had been closed without being in read-only mode, and it opened in read-only mode.
Apparently, it's a default setting in Word that opens Word 2016 files in read-only mode. I tried it on old files (Word 2013 or even 97), they open in compatibility mode and not read-only mode.
I absolutely need to modify the normal.dot.... right?
I hope this is fascinating for both of you because I'm going to end up annoying you!!!!
Thank you both anyway.
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Hello Guilhot,
I hope you had a great vacation, and thank you for your feedback.
If your problem occurs with all Word files, I think it might be due to your Normal.dotm template file, because all new blank documents are based on it.
Since you have Windows 10 and Word 2016, this file is located here:
C:\Users\Guilhot\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dotm
You should open it and press <F12> to perform the same check I mentioned to you; hopefully, the box will be checked:
☑ Recommended read-only
I say "hopefully" because if it is, it will prove that your problem came from there, and all you need to do is uncheck the box and save your new Normal.dotm file to fix everything.
If you've been blocked because you couldn't see the AppData folder, let me know and I'll tell you what to do (unless you already know how to handle it).
Looking forward to hearing from you, best regards. 😊
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Thank you, what’s strange is that I have a "normal.dot old" and a "normal" file that’s empty; I pressed F12 but the "read-only" box is never checked...
I still saved it and for now I’m no longer in read-only; I’m going to turn off the computer and see the "thing"... I’ll keep you updated.
Thank you for your help. -
Indeed, it's strange that you have "normal.dot old" and "normal" without anything!
You should definitely have "Normal.dotm", because when it opens,
Word automatically creates it if it didn't exist.
On the other hand, I'm not sure about the solution I'm proposing to you, and you should
first check response #4 from C-Claire below, which seems more appropriate to me.
Thanks to you, C-Claire, for your input. ????
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Hello again,
this afternoon, I modified a file, I had to save it under a different name, I closed it, renamed it, and then reopened it and it was no longer read-only.
I just shut down and restarted the computer, I go to my file, I open it and it is read-only again...
I will try to do the manipulation from C-Claire. -
And we're having fun ........
I unchecked the 3 boxes, shut down, turned the computer off, turned it back on, clicked on the file that had been closed without being in read-only mode, and it opened in read-only.
Apparently, it's a default setting in Word that opens Word 2016 files in read-only mode. I tried it on old files (Word 2013 or even 97), and they open in compatibility mode and not read-only.
I absolutely need to be able to modify the normal.dot .... right?
I hope you both find this fascinating because I'm going to end up annoying you!!!!
Thanks anyway. -
First, read message #12 from C-Claire, then mine.
No, no, don't think you're going to annoy us: this problem is quite bothersome
and it's perfectly normal that you want to solve it, even if it takes several
messages to do so! And even if I can't guarantee we'll find
a solution! Maybe another contributor will have a better idea?
You wrote that you saw the Normal file without anything after it, and I replied that
I also found that strange; but no, I was mistaken: I forgot that
by default, Windows Explorer hides known extensions of
files; so that is indeed your Normal.dotm file (even if you
don't see .dotm).
I forgot that because I usually use a command prompt window to
access this file, and in such a DOS window, you can see the extension.
In your Windows Explorer window, right-click on your Normal (.dotm) file and choose the "Properties" option to verify that it
is not read-only: ☐ Read-only
You should then be able to modify it if necessary.
Launch Word and open it by selecting the entire path that leads there;
press < F12 > and then perform the usual manipulation to check the box
☑ Recommended read-only (which will need to be unchecked)
But I remind you that I'm not sure it comes from there, and I even lean
toward no; but in this case, this verification will already eliminate
that possibility.
And when you are in an Explorer window, do you have the Navigation Pane open on the right? Would it be better if you closed it?
C-Claire mentioned it to you in her point 4)
Since I also read what you write to her, there’s no need for you to duplicate the responses
you give her for my benefit! (thanks anyway) 😉 Looking forward to reading from you. 😊
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