WD97: Err: "...Password-Protected with an Encryption Scheme..."

ID: Q162559

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you open a password-protected document, the following error 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

Method 1: Use a Version of the Document That Is Not Password Protected

Obtain and open a non-password-protected version of the document.

Method 2: Change the Regional Settings on the Computer

1. On the Start menu, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Regional Settings.

3. On the Regional Settings tab, click English (United States), and click

   OK.

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 will use a stronger (40-bit) encryption method. If the system's Regional Settings are set to "French (Standard)", Word will use the "Windows 95 style weak encryption" method.

For example, if a Word document is password protected and Regional Settings is set to "French (Standard)", the document can be opened with the password in Word with Regional Settings set to any region. However, if a Word document is password protected with Regional Settings set to a region other than "French (Standard)" (for example, "English (United States)"), Word will not be able to open the password protected document when your Regional settings are set to "French (Standard)."

Additional query words:

Keywords          : word97 
Version           : 97
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: January 22, 1999