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Office applications like Word periodically, and sometimes, without the consent of a user converts 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, you can fix this issue, here's how!
Word opens documents in Read-only mode
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. If Microsoft Word documents are opening in Read-only mode on your Windows 10 PC, then here are the steps you need to take to fix the issue, then you can remove read-only mode in Word by following these methods:
- 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.
Let's cover the methods described above in a bit of detail.
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 'Read-only' option.
4] Disable the Preview Pane In File Explorer
This ahs helped some. See if it helps you; else reverse the changes.
Go to '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.
That's it!
