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MSWord opens documents read only

john errington 95 Reputation points
2026-01-17T09:12:21.45+00:00

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Following a system crash I reinstalled windows 11 Home and a fresh install of MSOffice Pro 2021

I had previously been using Office 2016

I log in as admin.

I copied my user templates to the D:\Documents\Custom Office Templates folder

The “normal” template in my appdata folder is unchanged.

I now have an issue that I can create and save a new document

However when I try to edit it, it is marked in Word as read only – but File manager properties shows it is not.  And I get a message “cant save its read only”.

What I’ve tried

Create document based on one of my templates – still read only

Create document based on “blank document” (ie normal template

Take ownership of d drive: take ownership of “documents”: take ownership of C:\users\john

File manager preview window is off.

Strangely Excel does not show this problem – I can create, save amend and save with no problems.

 

Grateful for any help

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
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  1. john errington 95 Reputation points
    2026-01-18T10:27:24.5933333+00:00

    Further info: it also wont save with the same name (eg test) to a different filetype (pdf) and different location. I've done an Office "repair" to no effect.

    However: I copied all the files to a different drive (D: to G:) and the problem disappears.

    I'm now moving ALL my documents folder to another drive, (D: to E:) deleting the original folder and moving it all back.

    Problem fixed.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  1. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 322.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-01-17T09:26:02.19+00:00

    Before opening the file, right click on it and then left click on Properties and check the Unblock box.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. john errington 95 Reputation points
    2026-01-17T10:00:01.86+00:00

    Thanks: tried that, no change.

    Settings shows I AM logged in as an admin and have full control;

    however if I allow full control to "Everyone" the issue is fixed (for that file only).

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  3. Stefan Blom 337.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-01-17T09:31:28.6266667+00:00

    As Doug said, you may have to Unblock documents. This frequently becomes necessary with files transferred from another computer or downloaded from the internet.

    In addition, using storage locations on your PC such as the system documents folder will reduce the issue.

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