Can’t save files because they’re marked “read only” when they aren’t

Topic

New Reply

Frequently, when I attempt to save a file in Word or Excel 2013 (and I think in PDF also), I get an error saying something to the affect of the file cannot be saved because it is read only. However, when I check the file properties it is NOT read only. I have to save the file with a new name. This is in Windows 7. I am not on a network, so no one else has the file open. And as far as I know the files have been previously saved correctly.

Anyone know what’s going on? This has been happening for a while; not a new development.

Thanks!

Reply | Quote

Replies

This is for Office 2007 and Office 2010 but may work:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2010-word/word-2007-and-2010-open-files-read-only/bd6e7681-8f6e-442d-a0b8-9df5a6613e6f

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

Reply | Quote

Hi Berton,

I found that thread earlier this morning and tried turning off preview (which I’ll miss because it’s useful). I frankly can’t recall if I’ve encountered the problem since then. But I’ll keep an eye out for the error, and will post back if it still occurs.

Thanks.

Reply | Quote

Hi Berton,

I found that thread earlier this morning and tried turning off preview (which I’ll miss because it’s useful). I frankly can’t recall if I’ve encountered the problem since then. But I’ll keep an eye out for the error, and will post back if it still occurs.

Thanks.

You’re welcome. You’ve just come across one of the instances where Microsoft has intertwined their programs with their Operating System, might find that Internet Explorer is in that mix. Sometimes I need more than what Win7’s Windows Explorer or Win8.1/Win10 File Explorer will provide so I use Total Commander, it has 2 panes for viewing different Folder or drives without opening a second instance.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

Reply | Quote

You’re welcome. You’ve just come across one of the instances where Microsoft has intertwined their programs with their Operating System, might find that Internet Explorer is in that mix. Sometimes I need more than what Win7’s Windows Explorer or Win8.1/Win10 File Explorer will provide so I use Total Commander, it has 2 panes for viewing different Folder or drives without opening a second instance.

Yes, that reminds that, in previous Windows versions, I used a third party file explorer (I forget its name) precisely for that reason — it had two panes. I think I had to ditch it when I switched to Windows 7 because it wasn’t compatible. But I’ll check out Total Commander.

Thanks again.

Reply | Quote

You’re welcome.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

Reply | Quote

When a file is not Closed properly, it leaves a .tmp file on your drive, and then Word thinks it is still open, and will refuse to save. You can Save As and use a different name. Or, go into your Documents folder and delete all ~.tmp files.

Word has been known to leave these files on your disk even when you do properly close them.

Let us know…

Reply | Quote

My file manager is xplorer2 lite – 2 panes and simple.

Reply | Quote