Knowledge Base

WD98: Password Protection Lost When Saving as Earlier Versions

Article ID: 193544

Article Last Modified on 9/1/2006


APPLIES TO


This article was previously published under Q193544

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.

Additional query words: conversion converting stripped

Keywords: kbprb KB193544