Cant open file

Question

I changed my password and tried with a new password to open the file, but it kept saying incorrect password.

Answer 1

Hi GCC Development Co, Pro Construction,

Thanks for your post. Have you already tried all the suggestions from Q&A Assist. To better understand what’s happening, I need to clarify a few points first:

1, What type of file is this? For example: Word document (.docx), Excel file (.xlsx), PowerPoint, ZIP file, or another file type?

2, Was the file password set manually on the file itself, or were you expecting it to use your Microsoft account / Windows sign‑in password?

3, Did you ever successfully open this file before, using the same password you’re trying now?

4, Where is the file stored? (For example: local disk, OneDrive personal, USB drive, external hard drive)

In the meantime, please check the following quick validations:

1. Try the original file password If the file was password‑protected before you changed your Microsoft account password, you must still enter the exact original file password (passwords are case‑sensitive).
2. Check for input issues Make sure:
   • “Caps Lock” is off
   • The keyboard language/layout hasn’t changed
   • There are no extra spaces when typing or pasting the password

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Answer 2

i can open my email account, but not the file

Answer 3

For a password-protected file that suddenly reports “incorrect password” after a password change, the key points are:

1. Confirm how the file is protected
   • If this is a Word, PowerPoint, Outlook Data File (.pst), or OneNote section, the password is stored with the file itself and is separate from any Microsoft account password.
   • Changing the Microsoft account password does not change or remove passwords set directly on documents, .pst files, or OneNote sections.
2. Check for common input issues Passwords on these files are always case-sensitive:
   • Ensure Caps Lock is off.
   • Check the keyboard layout (for example, different language or swapped keys) and any input method editors.
   • Make sure there are no leading or trailing spaces when typing or pasting the password.
   • If the password was recently changed on the file itself (for example, in Word, PowerPoint, or OneNote), try both the new and the previous password in case the change did not save as expected.
3. Product-specific behavior and limits
   • Word documents
     • A password can be set to open the document via File > Info > Protect Document > Encrypt with Password.
     • Passwords are case-sensitive and limited to 15 characters.
     • If the password is lost or forgotten, Word cannot recover it. Only an IT admin who had already deployed the DocRecrypt tool before the document was password-protected might be able to help. Otherwise, the document cannot be opened without the exact password.
   • PowerPoint presentations
     • A password can be set to open or modify via File > Passwords.
     • When opening, the password must be entered exactly; if it is wrong, the file cannot be opened.
     • If someone else encrypted the file, that person must provide the correct password; there is no built-in recovery if the password is unknown.
   • Outlook Data File (.pst)
     • When opening a password-protected .pst, Outlook prompts for the password.
     • If the password is incorrect, Outlook shows an error. Passwords are case-sensitive; Caps Lock being on is a common cause of failure.
     • If the .pst password is forgotten, Microsoft cannot recover it.
   • OneNote password-protected sections
     • Passwords used to lock sections are not the same as the Microsoft account password.
     • If a section was recently re-protected with a new password, try the old password as well.
     • If the password is forgotten, no one (including Microsoft Technical Support) can unlock the notes.
4. If the password truly cannot be recalled
   • For these protected files and sections, there is no supported way to bypass or reset the password after it is forgotten.
   • If another person set or changed the password on the file, that person must provide the correct value.

In summary, changing the sign-in password does not fix or change passwords embedded in files. If the correct file password cannot be entered exactly (with correct case and characters), the file cannot be opened, and Microsoft cannot recover or reset that password.

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References:

• Password protection for presentations in PowerPoint
• My Outlook Data File (.pst) password doesn’t work
• Frequently Asked Questions about OneNote for Mac
• Protect a Word document with a password