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How do I permanently disable the automatic read-only feature for Word files? Often--but not always--when I open a file, it opens in read-only mode. This is a new development. It happens whether I open a file from Windows (either double-clicking or right-clicking on the file) or from within Word. It's happening with various files (but not others) in different folders.
I can detect no pattern indicating whether or when the read-only mode will apply. I've made sure full permissions are granted to me. When I check the properties of a file, the read-only box is not checked, yet the file opens in read-only mode (sometimes). When I view the properties of folders, the read-only box is always checked--yet the files within may or may not be in read-only mode when I open them. If I uncheck the read-only box for a folder and click on "Apply," this has no effect--the read-only box is checked as soon as I view the folder properties again.
What's going on?
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Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Answer accepted by question author
See if deselecting the option to "Open e-mail attachments and other uneditable files in reading view" at File | Options | General makes a difference.
Answer accepted by question author
Normally, lock files are deleted when you close the document but that won't happen if Word has crashed.
In the article at http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm, scroll down to the section titled "Word 2007 and later" and you'll find what you need.
Answer accepted by question author
See the following page of fellow MVP Graham Mayor's website:
Are you talking about "Read Mode" or "Protected View", or is it the situation described in the article "I keep getting files that I am working on locked for editing. Word only allows me to open them read-only” at:
Read-only mode. That article does not help; if I try deleting all files that come up under a search for "~.do?," I'll delete files ending in ".docx" etc., which I naturally don't want to do. The other two searches listed therein bring up nothing.
Are you talking about "Read Mode" or "Protected View", or is it the situation described in the article "I keep getting files that I am working on locked for editing. Word only allows me to open them read-only” at: