Word Opens Previewed File As Read-Only Without Notification

ID: Q123305

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

If one workstation on a network is previewing a document (accessed by choosing Find File from the File menu) and another workstation opens the same document, then, without notifying the second workstation, Word opens the document as read-only.

CAUSE

Word for Windows creates a file lock on the document being previewed but does not create an owner file. When the second workstation opens the document, Word looks for an owner file, but one does not exist. Word then assumes that the file is read-only because there is a file lock on the file.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word version 6.0c for Windows. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

KBCategory: kbenv kbnetwork buglist6.0c KBSubcategory: Additional reference words: 6.0c winword word6

Keywords          : kbenv kbnetwork
Version           : 6.0c
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: August 5, 1997