WORD documents sometimes open READ-ONLY

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I have an intermittent fault. Opening WORD documents sometimes opens documents as READ ONLY. I can see no pattern when this happens.

I have spoken to MS Office support. They suggest the fault is NOT Office – but Windows. Properties of documents are not marked READ ONLY. However, folders do have the READ ONLY attribute set. ALL folders on my PC. The READ ONLY folder attribute is sticky. That is i cannot clear the setting.
I have checked on a Windows 7 PC. I find that this is not standard Windows behaviour.

The problem started on 26Aug16. On 25Aug16 i had done Windows Update on KB3179574 and KB3177723. i’m tempted to think that one of these is the culprit. i have not yet removed these updates.

OFFICE 365
Windows 8.1 64 bit

Any thoughts anyone.

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I have an intermittent fault. Opening WORD documents sometimes opens documents as READ ONLY. I can see no pattern when this happens.

I have spoken to MS Office support. They suggest the fault is NOT Office – but Windows. Properties of documents are not marked READ ONLY. However, folders do have the READ ONLY attribute set. ALL folders on my PC. The READ ONLY folder attribute is sticky. That is i cannot clear the setting.
I have checked on a Windows 7 PC. I find that this is not standard Windows behaviour.

The problem started on 26Aug16. On 25Aug16 i had done Windows Update on KB3179574 and KB3177723. i’m tempted to think that one of these is the culprit. i have not yet removed these updates.

OFFICE 365
Windows 8.1 64 bit

Any thoughts anyone.

I see that usually with documents I’ve stored on a NAS drive or downloaded from the Internet, seems to be a security issue with files coming from different computers/servers. And Yes, the NAS drives attached to my Router have their own Operating System, makes them a different computer in this context.

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

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The read only attribute on a folder does not mean the folder contents are read only. See the “Cause” section in You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, in Windows Vista or in Windows 7.

--Joe

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This is a really useful reference as it explains that the READ ONLY attribute of a folder does not describe the attributes of files within the folder but provides a mechanism to change the attributes of all files in the folder (& optionally in sub folders).
Now, so far i have not found any problem files with the READ ONLY attribute set. However, i have used this mechanism to ensure that all READ ONLY attributes are cleared from all files on the whole logical volume. [this volume is my data file container – it does not have any system files – except stuff like thumbnails].
Since then the problem seems to have gone away – but who can tell for an intermittent fault. only time will tell.
i wonder what might have brought on the problem so suddenly – i still suspect one of the 2 Windows Updates i specified above. However, i have not removed them – let sleeping dogs lie.

As an aside can you tell me what is the normal setting of the READ ONLY attribute for folders in Win 8.1. This might indicate if something has affected all folders.

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To remove the “internet” attribute from a downloaded / other system file, right click on the file and select Properties, Unblock.

cheers, Paul

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Paul T. i don’t think your observation is directly relevant to my current problem (probably now solved – see above). However, it is useful to be reminded of this attribute. i’ve used it in the distant past. its good to be reminded of it. So thanks. is it possible to UNBLOCK numerous files in a folder in one go?

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Open a PowerShell session.
Type: Unblock-File -path “path to file including name”

cheers, Paul

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Open a PowerShell session.
Type: Unblock-File -path “path to file including name”

cheers, Paul

Thanks. I would not have thought of this – knowing nothing of POWERSHELL. I’ve downloaded and discovered it via Google. A whole new world to be explored. Thanks

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You don’t need to download PowerShell, it’s built-in to Windows. What did you download?

cheers, Paul

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Paul T
I located a file (from a number of options) Win8.1AndW2K12R2-KB3134758-x64
i could not find it in Windows. Now i see that it exists within Administrative Tools. It looks the same. i found a list of cmdlets https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ff714569.aspx. I did not see ‘Unblock-File’ in the list.

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That’s because the command was introduced in PS3.
To see what version of PS you have, run this command: $psversiontable

cheers, Paul

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PaulT

PS version
PS C:Userscrb> $psversiontable

Name Value
—- —–
PSVersion 5.0.10586.117
PSCompatibleVersions {1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0…}
BuildVersion 10.0.10586.117
CLRVersion 4.0.30319.34209
WSManStackVersion 3.0
PSRemotingProtocolVersion 2.3
SerializationVersion 1.1.0.1
Same details for the version in Admin Tools and downloaded from TechNet. i wonder if i have the software installed twice!

I still have problems with WORD files loading READ ONLY. the problem seems to go away if i load a number of Word files in quick succession. is there anything in PS that might help in diagnosis/cure. I have already run PROPERTIES>GENERAL>READ-ONLY (clear check)>APPLY>all files in folder and sub-folder.

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You’ve updated to PS5 – my base load of W8.1 has PS4.

You need to diagnose one file at a time.
Find one that is always problematic and make a copy of it with File Explorer, then open the copy. What do you get?

cheers, Paul

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Thanks Paul,
Well suddenly the problem/solution presented itself. Something else i was doing raised a memory error – stating that a particular program should be closed. Investigation showed that i had a program running of which i was unaware. And it was filling all of my 4Gb memory. It must have been inadequate memory that exposed a fault within WORD that resulted in the intermittent READ ONLY failures.
The program was McAfee Stinger. This is a standalone virus scanner which I run every month or so. Unfortunately, on reading the EULA more carefully, i see a recent addition such that it also installs a free real time scanner which runs on boot – no pop up messages explaining this – all hidden in the background. Called McAfee RealProtect – which was the memory hog.
Needless to say all things McAfee have now been obliterated from my PC.
Since I removed this I have had no problems with WORD. Funny how programs can interact and how a solution presents itself from a casual observation.
Thanks for all of your help – it got me searching for the solution.
Chris

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I hope you still have a real time Anti Virus program installed?

cheers, Paul

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Of course I have a real time anti-malware suite in use! I use VIRPE (originally created by Sunbelt and introduced to me via TechSuppAlert (Gizmo Richards). This is not one of the front leaders who have created monster bloat ware products. The eating of all of my memory by well known McAfee is a good example. I have found VIPRE to always be up at the front of detecting new threats. Many times it has detected malware sites when I have inadvertently clicked on a URL in an email (which showed poor concentration on my part) so it is a good example of defence in depth. VIPRE has a very small foot print on my PC. At least it appeared that VIPRE and RealProtect did not interact badly as sometimes happens when running two real-time anti malware products.
The installation of McAfee RealProtect effectively by the back door is unacceptable. Although mentioned in the EULA for McAfee Stinger it was otherwise completely silent about its existence. How it might have benefited me was unspecified – so like an unlabelled packet in the fridge – it goes straight into the bin.
CV: I worked in computing for a lifetime starting with assembler languages and ending with network security on large data networks. [MCSE expired – NT4 based]
Thanks for encouraging me such that I finally located the problem.

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I find that all word or excel email attachments open protected and need to click on enable edit. Is this part of a similar problem?

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Just jumping into this thread (courtesy of the mention in the newsletter). I have a related problem — though perhaps needing a new thread. Occasionally, when I try to save (not open) a file, it tells me it is read only and I must save it with a new name. In properties, it is NOT checked as read only.

I have not found a pattern to this happening. Is this related and, either way, does anyone know the cause (and the fix)?

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Without knowing where the file lives, it’s properties and permissions, it’s hard to offer solutions.
Next time you get an issue, post the answer to the above questions in a new thread.

cheers, Paul

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