Knowledge Base

WD97: Error Message: "...Password-Protected with an Encryption Scheme..."

Article ID: 162559

Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007

Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q162559

SYMPTOMS

When you open a password-protected document, the following error message may occur:

This document has been password protected with an encryption scheme not available in this region. Word cannot open this document.

CAUSE

This functionality is by design. The document was saved with a password on a system with Regional Settings other than "French (Standard)."

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use a version of the document that is not password protected.

MORE INFORMATION

When you save a Word document with a password, Word 97 encrypts the document based on your system's Windows Regional Settings. If a Word document is saved with a password on a system with Regional Settings set to "English (United States)" (or other regional settings other than "French (Standard)"), Word uses a stronger (40-bit) encryption method. If the system's Regional Settings are set to "French (Standard)", Word uses the "Windows 95 style weak encryption" method.

Keywords: kbprb KB162559