Fix: Word Opening Documents in Read-Only Mode in Windows 10

by Emily Johnson Technical Advisor

Office applications like Word crash while opening a file and only launch them as Read-only. The issue is a fairly new one, but it hinders your work experience nonetheless. If you are facing this issue, then this post might be useful for you. Keep on reading to follow the instructions to fix it.

Word Opens Files in the Read-Only Mode

If the Word files are launching in the Read-only option on the Windows Computer, then there are several steps to fix the problem:

Disable the Edit Restrictions
Untick the launch mail attachments and also uneditable documents in the reading view
Modifying the Word File Properties
Disable preview pane in the File Explorer

Disable the Edit Restrictions

If you wish to disable the Edit Restrictions, then pursue the given instructions:

Launch Read-only word file
Navigate to the Review button below the Restrict Editing button.
Press the tab and then reach the fresh window that launches. There locate the Stop protection option underneath the window. Click on the designated option.
As it prompts for the password, ask the person that has configured it to give it to you.
Insert password to delete Read-only way.

Untick the ‘Launch Mail Attachments and Uneditable Documents in the Reading View’

Certain time as you get the word document as the attachment and then try to launch it to edit it. You will not be able to do that as it launches in the Read-only.

If you want to Untick the ‘launch mail attachments and uneditable documents in the reading view option, then abide by the given steps:

Launch Word document on the PC.
Tap on the File button.
Navigate to the Options.
Move to General button at the left in Word button that opens.
Scroll down and find the options of reads ‘Open mail attachments and extra uneditable documents in the reading view’ at the right window.
Untick the box that is against the choice and then tap on OK to apply the changes.
After that, any Word document that you get as the mail attachment will now launch in the usual mode to allow you to edit them as you like it.

Modifying the Word File Properties

If you wish to modify the Word File Properties, then pursue the given instructions:

Right-click Word file that launches in the Read-only option.
Click on the Properties.
Untick the box that is against the Read-only button.
Disable preview pane in the File Explorer
Navigate to the This PC button.
Tap on the View option.
Then choose the option that reads Preview pane in the Panes menu. It is going to disable the window if it has been enabled previously.

Source: https://emilyjohnso731.wordpress.com/2020/03/05/fix-word-opening-documents-in-read-only-mode-in-windows-10/