WD: Can't Recover Password-Protected Document If Password Lost

ID: Q84545

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Word, a password-protected document cannot be recovered if the password for that document is lost or forgotten. Microsoft does not offer a service to retrieve documents to which passwords have been added, nor does it offer any information regarding such services or processes.

This policy is to prevent any damages to Microsoft Word users who rely on the security that their passwords provide. To recover a password-protected document, you must remember the assigned password.

NOTE: Remember that passwords are case sensitive. If you used a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters when you set up your password, you'll need to use the same combination when you use the password to access your document. Also, before you type your password, verify that CAPS LOCK is not active.

Additional query words: protect protection policy wd98 wd87 wd

Keywords          : kbpolicy kbdta macword98 winword macword word6 winword2 word7 word95 macword5 macword6 
Version           : WINDOWS: 2.x 6.0 6.0a 6.0c 7.0 7.0a; MACINTOSH: 5.x, 6.x, 98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: December 24, 1998