Unable to delete Word file in an Android Device

Question

I am trying to delete a file but Word (android GalaxyNote5) is saying I do not have permission to delete 

**The post was moved to the appropriate forum category by the moderator.**

***Subject edited for clarity by the moderator.***

Answer 1

Your going to love this! I have the exact same problem if not having permission to delete files that I created in WORD. A service that I oay for. No one else has access this isn't a work file and has never been emailed. Microsoft's great solution is that I should try a third party app to delete my item files.

SERIOUSLY!;!!!!!!.

I can't delete the file from a service I'm paying over$100 a year for and their best advice is to try a third party where that third party will then also have my file a may or may not be able to delete the file.

Is there anyone in the world who is actually satisfied with Microsoft at this point?

Answer 2

I have EXACT same problem.

I recently installed Microsoft Word app on Pixel XL phone running latest Android 8.0.0.

Wanted to have personal/confidential Word doc from my PC on my phone.

(Word doc was one I created on my PC with Word)

Doc file on PC was zipped (by me) (into .zip file) with encryption password.

Attached phone to PC via USB-USBC cable -- copied zipped file to phone to "Download" directory on phone.

Used Android app "RAR" (RARLAB) utility to unzip file (I provided password to unzip) (yes, it worked great).

After unzipping, attempted to open doc file in "Download" directory -- asked me if I wanted to use "Word" app to open file.

I selected Yes, use Word app.

Word opened doc file -- but apparently it first COPIED file to Word app temp storage before opening.

After being somewhat happy I was able to read file OK, found out I could not edit it.

Then found out I could not DELETE it either.  

WHAT!??!   So I now have my own personal/confidential file now unzipped on my phone which I cannot DELETE???

Are you kidding me???   No -- once again, Microsoft causes me horrendous headaches.

OK, after I reboot phone and bring up Word app again, under "RECENT" files my doc files shows up listed at this location:

">> data >> user >> 0 >> com.microsoft.office.word >> a...-fd5a553d62d1 >> myunencriptedconfidentialfile.doc"

File can be opened in Word app but "READ ONLY". 

Moreover, attempt to "DELETE" file brings up this prompt:

Are you sure you want to permanently delete myunencryptedconfidentialfile.doc?   No  Yes

I select YES.   Get reply "Not Allowed.  You don't have permission to delete this file."   WHAT??!!!

Frankly, I can't believe you've ignored this issue from all the other users posting so far.  This is a serious issue as far as I'm concerned.

I now have a very sensitive unencrypted file on my phone which I cannot delete. 

I deleted original zipped document which was on my phone user "Download" directory, as well as the original unzipped unencryped document that was also on my "Download" directory.   Those are GONE. 

But Word App still has copy of the unzipped unencrypted file in what is apparently a Word app temporary folder on the root directory under "com.microsoft.office.word" -- and I can't DELETE it.

My next step will be to completely UNINSTALL WORD app and HOPE that also deletes temporary storage location with my unencrypted file -- but please ADVISE first if that is true.   I have NOT "rooted" my phone and do NOT want to.  

Just try and clear storage under the word app. It worked for me. Backup the files that you need and then clear.

Answer 3

My response is to delete Word on my android tablet and get an equivelant word processor! MS has their head where it doesn't shine. They should have fixed this issue before this!!

Answer 4

That's actually a good decision. But, unfortunately, I found a lot of other problems with other office applications as well =(

And share with us what you will actually pick as one for others to try it as well.

Answer 5

Here is how I deleted the read-only file:

1. delete file from original location (eg. delete from your email if that was how you got it)
2. close open apps on your phone.
3. open the "Word" app. 

In the "Word" app:

4. click "Remove from list" (just above the "Delete" button)
5. click "Open" (bottom-right corner)
6. click "Browse" (this should open your "Downloads" page)
7. click in "Options" (top-right corner) click "Show Internal Storage"
8. Delete file.
9. close the "Word" app
10. reopen the "Word" app

Check "Word" app - hopefully the file will have been deleted.

Good luck.