Office applications like Word periodically, and sometimes, without the consent of a user convert a file to ‘Read-only’ mode while it is being used. The change in default status can be annoying since the mode allows no editing. Nevertheless, if Microsoft Word opens files in Read-only mode in Windows 11/10, you can fix it with the help of these solutions.
Apart from you, if someone else has access to your PC then, chances are he/she has locked it accidentally or deliberately to prevent anyone from making changes to the contents of a file. On the other hand, if you have downloaded a file from the internet, it could also be opened in Read-only mode.
Word opens files in Read-only mode in Windows 11/10
If Microsoft Word opens files in Read-only mode in Windows 11/10, follow these solutions:
- Disabling Edit Restrictions
- Unchecking ‘Open e-mail attachments and other uneditable files in reading view’.
- Changing Word File Properties
- Disabling the Preview Pane In File Explorer
- Repair document
Let’s cover the methods described above in a bit of detail.
Before getting started with these solutions, make sure that your file is not stored in a Read-only location. Having said that, if a document is stored on a CD or DVD, you cannot change the mode in any way. You must move the file to a different location before going through the subsequent tips and tricks.
1] Disable Edit Restrictions
Open the Read-only Word document.
Go to the ‘Review’ tab and under it look for the option that reads ‘Restrict Editing’.
Click the tab. Then, in the new pane that opens, look for the ‘Stop protection’ button. It should be visible at the bottom of the pane. Hit the button.
When prompted for the password, request the person who configured it to provide it to you.
Enter the password to remove Read-only mode.
2] Uncheck ‘Open e-mail attachments and other uneditable files in reading view’
Sometimes when you receive a Word file as an attachment and try to open it to edit it, you cannot do it since it opens in the ‘Read-only’ mode.
Open the Word file on your computer. Click the ‘File’ tab and go to ‘Options’.
In the Word Options window that opens, switch to the ‘General’ tab in the left sidebar.
Then, in the right pane, scroll down and look for the option that reads as ‘Open e-mail attachments and other uneditable files in reading view’.
Uncheck the box marked against the option and hit the ‘OK’ button to save the changes.
Hereafter, any Word files you receive as email attachments should now open in regular mode letting you edit them however you want.
3] Change Word File Properties
Right-click the Word document that opens only in ‘Read-only’ mode and select ‘Properties’.
Un-check the box marked against the ‘Read-only’ option.
4] Disable the Preview Pane In File Explorer
This has helped some. See if it helps you; else reverse the changes.
Go to the ‘This PC’ section and click on the ‘View’ tab.
Now, simply select the option that says ‘Preview pane’ in the Panes section. This will disable the pane if it was enabled before.
5] Repair document
If a Word document is corrupted, you may not be able to open and edit it. As a result, it opens in read-only mode. That is why we suggest you check for any corruption and repair the Word file accordingly.
That’s it!
Read: How to remove Read-only from an Excel document
How do I get Microsoft Word out of read-only mode?
The easiest way to get Microsoft Word out of Read-only mode is by disabling the setting in the file Properties. That being said, you need to right-click on the file and select the Properties option. Make sure that you are in the General tab. If so, find the Read-only checkbox and remove the respective tick. Finally, click the OK button.
How do I stop Word documents from opening as read-only?
Depending on the situation and settings, there are many things you can do to stop Word documents from opening as Read-only files. For example, if a file is password protected, you need to enter the password. On the other hand, if you have downloaded a file from the internet, you need to remove the Read-only tick from the checkbox. Apart from that, you might also need to move your file from a Read-only location to another location to start editing.
