How to edit a read only document

If Read-only recommended is enabled in the document’s Save As options, clear that option before saving because Word carries the setting into each new copy.

Remove the inherited read-only setting

Use the Word desktop application:

1. Open the document.
2. Select File → Save As → Browse.
3. In the Save As dialog, select Tools → General Options.
4. Clear Read-only recommended.
5. Enter a new file name and select Save.
6. Close and reopen the new file; it should open for editing.

A normal Save As does not remove the Read-only recommended flag automatically, so copies can continue opening read-only until the option is cleared.^1^

If “Read-only recommended” was already clear

Check which other read-only mechanism applies:

1. Always Open Read-Only
   • Go to File → Info → Protect Document.
   • If Always Open Read-Only is selected, select it again to clear it.
   • Save, close, and reopen the document.^2^
2. Windows file attribute
   • Close Word.
   • In File Explorer, right-click the document and select Properties.
   • On the General tab, clear Read-only, then select Apply → OK.
   • If an Unblock option appears for a trusted downloaded file, select it before applying the change.^3^
3. Word is in Viewing mode
   • In the upper-right corner of Word, open the Viewing or Reviewing menu.
   • Select Editing.
   • If Editing is unavailable, the document owner’s sharing permissions or an organizational restriction controls access; saving another copy might not grant editing permission.^2^
4. Save-location or permission issue
   • Create a new folder under Documents.
   • Create a blank Word document and save it there.
   • Close and reopen it.
   • If that file remains editable, the original OneDrive, shared, network, or folder location is imposing the restriction. For OneDrive files, also check that storage is not full, because Word cannot save changes when the allowance has been reached.^3^

Do not disable Protected View globally merely to resolve this. For a trusted file displaying a Protected View warning, use Enable Editing for that file; restrictions imposed by its owner or an administrator cannot be removed locally.

References

1. How To Save Read Only Word Doc As Editable (Word online used with Teams) - Microsoft Q&A
2. Enable editing in your document | Microsoft Support
3. Why did my file open read-only? | Microsoft Support