"File Permission Error" on my Word document due to file name

KImberly Tolley 60 Reputation points
2025-10-31T02:17:10.62+00:00

My Word document has always been saved as "Internet Sh--- List" (I'm redacting the S word to be sensitive here in the Community). The other day, after I edited it, I attempted to save it under its normal name, but suddenly got an error message telling me that I couldn't do that because the file was "Read-Only." I had to rename it something completely different in order to successfully save it.

Just now I attempted to save it under the old name again, and I got a new error message saying that there was a "file permission error." How in the world did I get myself in this crack? I hope someone can help me, because the new document name is horrible!

I use MS Word for Mac Version 16.102.2SCREEN SHOT 1

SCREEN SHOT 2

SCREEN SHOT 3

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS
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Answer accepted by question author
Jhun Buala 6,385 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-10-31T04:14:13.98+00:00

Hi KImberly Tolley,

Good Day. I hope everything is fine. Sorry to hear about your MS Word file saving issue. This may cause due to some reasons. Let's try some steps and hope to solve the issue.

A. As initial step, let's try to repair your original Word file.

Go to File Tab > Open > Browse and select for the original file with issue (dont open) > and on the bottom right, click Repair. > Then click Open.
User's image Then retry to save again using that original file again.

B. Save to your original file (with issue) to a different folder, just to check if the volume or folder has an issue. Open it and Save As, and choose a different file path.

C. Check your original folder permissions (where the problem file is saved).

  1. Go to the folder
  2. Right click > Get Info > Under sharing & permissions at the bottom, check your user if it is shown "Read & Write"?
  3. If not, click the lock icon > authenticate > change your user to "Read & Write"> click gear icon > Apply to enclosed items.
  4. Try to save the problem file again.

D. Check also the file if itself is under a Read Only state (locked)

  1. On the file in Finder > Get Info > Make sure the file is not marked "LOCKED" and under the Sharing and Permissions your user has "Read & Write".
  2. Try saving again.

E. Rename Word's Template and Preferences

  1. Quit Word
  2. Finder > Go > Go to Folder > enter: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates.
  3. Find and Move "Normal.dotm" to your Desktop.
  4. In Finder again: "~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/"
    and move "com.microsoft.Word.securebookmarks.plist" if present.
  5. Try to open and save the File again.

F. Try to Repair your MS Word App.

  1. Through Updating your Word App. Open Word > Help Menu > Check for Updates. > Install.
  2. Run a Disk Utility on your system. Open Finder > Go > Disk Utility > Select primary disk on the side bar > Click First Aid > and run a check.
  3. (Last Resort )Completely Reinstall your Microsoft Office. Quit all MS Office App > Open Finder > Navigate to Applications folder > Drag all Microsoft Office Apps to trash (Uninstall). Empty Trash > Visit MS account page to redownload and reinstall.

I hope one of the solutions above will solve the issue.

Regards,

Jhun

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  1. KImberly Tolley 60 Reputation points
    2025-11-04T09:57:08.6766667+00:00

    Hi Juhn!! I am happy to report that my problem resolved itself before I had a chance to follow your suggestions! Right after you responded to my question I tried one last time to re-save my document under the name I wanted to use and the name was accepted immediately! Thank you so much for replying so fast! I hope this problem never happens again, but if it does. having your detailed list of solutions will be very helpful!

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