Password protection lost when saving as earlier versions
Article ID: 168098
Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition
This article was previously published under Q168098
SYMPTOMS
When you try to open a password protected file in Word, one or more of
the following error messages may be displayed:
- Cannot convert password protected documents
- Word cannot open the document.
CAUSE
Access to a file is restricted when the document has been saved with any
type of password protection. All of the converters in Microsoft Word will
not convert password protected files.
WORKAROUND
Open and re-save the document without password protection in the original
program before you open the document in Word.
MORE INFORMATION
You cannot convert a password-protected file created in another word
processor (such as Word Perfect, AmiPro, or Enable) from any version
of Word.
NOTE: The password protection feature in Word requires you to type a case-
sensitive password before you can open a document. Word converters do not
prompt you for the password, and will not allow you to convert a password
protected document.
REFERENCES
For additional information, please see the following articles in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
193545 WD: Password Protection Lost When Saving as Earlier Versions
121000 Enable Word Processing Converter Capabilities and Limitations
141012 Find Fast Does Not Index Password Protected Files
Additional query words: conversion converting stripped
Keywords: kbbug kbfaq KB168098