Word Changes Document to Read-Only Randomly

Hi Carmen M. S.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused by this issue.

From the information provided, my understanding of the issue is that when you are editing in a document and then try to save it, Word says the document is read-only. This issue happens randomly. (If I misunderstand anything, feel free to correct me.)

When the document becomes read-only, you may try to copy the document's text and paste it into a new document and then save the new document on your computer. While doing this won't remove the read-only status from the original document, it will create an editable copy for you.

Regarding the original issue, you may try following:

1.If you open Word document via Windows File Explorer and you have the Preview Pane open, this may cause the issue.

So try to disable the Preview Pane in File Explorer or open document within Word via File>Open.

2.For the folder where you are saving your documents, check its properties by right clicking it, if Read-only is checked, remove it and apply to all files and OK.

3.If your documents are saved on flash drive, put your files on a hard drive or on OneDrive then use Word with it.

Per my research, use of documents on flash drive or accessing documents on flash drive from Word seems to be the common cause of document corruption issue.

If the issue still happens when you edit in a document, could you please share the following information for further troubleshooting?

1.Screenshots about "when I press Save, the file window opens and says I need to save another document -with the same name, and then says that my existing file is "Read-Only."".

2.Your Office version. In Word, please click File>Account, then capture a full screenshot of Product Information.

3.What is your file's type? .docx? And where do you save the files?

Appreciate your time and effort.

Best regards,

Tina