SOLVED Word stores files in read only

[Karen Brady]

Word on my desktop has suddenly started storing files in read only configuration.

 

[Ian]

Hi Karen,

The first thing to check is to see if the files are being saved as read-only (i.e. locked via the Review > Restrict Editing menu), or if they're being opened in "protected view".

Do you see a yellow bar like this when opening documents?:

If so, Word is opening files in read-only mode to try and protect you from potential malware (i.e. the document may be saved in or from an untrusted location). Are you files saved to your "Documents" folder? Do you have an anti-virus running, if so, which one?

 

[Bighorn]

Agree but I'd also add there may be something about Macros in the documents that is kicking up the warning.

 

[davehc]

Probably the same in most editions. But, as Ian says
Open the options and the trust centre.
In 2013 - File - Options - Trust centre.

Trust centre Settings.
Down on the left menu - Protected view.

Disable Protected view and se if it helps.

 

[Karen Brady]

Word on my desktop has suddenly started storing files in read only configuration.

No little yellow message. I only have files saved to "Read Only" after about 30-45 seconds of typing then the screen goes to BSOD. They are saved in on flash drive because the file was opened to edit it. I save very little on the C: "Documents" file.

 

[Ian]

What does the BSOD error message say - does it give you an error code? It sounds like you've got a bigger problem than read-only docs!

Can you try saving a file to the "Documents" folder and see if the read-only problem happens where too?

 

[Karen Brady]

There is no error code. It just goes to the blue windows screen.

 

[Ian]

When it bluesceens, there should be a message at the bottom that tells you about the type of crash (below in red) - that's the stop/error code part. Is that there when it crashes?

What happens when saving direct to "Documents" on C: (as I wonder if it's a problem with the USB drive).

 

[Karen Brady]

OK. So no BSOD. It just goes to the blue Windows open screen after it cuts me out of the Word program I was typing in, and saves the file as a read only.

I checked out your suggestion that it may be a USB drive. I think you are onto something, as I was successfully able to create new docs in both word and excel; save to C: Documents, reopen and work for an hour or so, and close with out having the problem I described. With further confirmation, do you think it wise to move the data(uncorrupted) from the USB drive to another drive to save the other data? So far, I only have one small file that is a problem, (Didn't want to risk corruption of other files by opening any more up). I can test with moving one file to a new USB drive. If that works, then I could move everything over to a 4T external hard drive that I recently purchased for my voice over work.

What do you think?

 

[Ian]

Yes, that sounds like it would be a sensible idea. It could be the USB drive causing the problem, or potentially the USB drivers causing this (less likely). Either way, it's a good test to use another USB drive. Please let us know what happens.

Perhaps you already make regular backups of your files, but I thought I'd mention this just in case - as it's so so important .

 

[Karen Brady]

Ian
Ok. I will check everything out. But it looks like I see a way out of the maize. I will check off "problem solved" later on the weekend. Otherwise, I'll sign in again.

Yes, I do back-up my system. Also have redundancy for all saved files in my voice over biz.

 

[Karen Brady]

Ian:

Looks like maybe? I have a problem with Office 2000 not doing well with my latest Windows 10 upgrade?
Hate that this new Office 365 will cost us $100/year.

 

[Ian]

Ah - Office 2000? That's quite an old bit of software that may have some unexpected problems with Windows 10. It should work for the most part, but it's 18 years old now and some parts may just not work as well as they should.

You can still buy one-off licenses for Office 2016, but Office 365 is very good (I was surprised at how much I liked it!).

 

[Karen Brady]

Ian

Thanks for sticking with me on this one.