Hi.
Suddenly unable to do anything in word. Whenever I try to write anything on a document, the program tells me the section is locked off and can't be changed. All actions in the program is greyed out. Even opening a new document. Any advice on what's going on before I smash my keyboard in frustration?
You didn't mention which version of Word, but having a subscription version of Office that has expired is one possibility.
Thanks, you are right. My computer suddenly thought I had a demo version of office somehow, even though I can have more units on my liscence which is up to date. Logged out and re-installed office. Works fine now. Late evening/short tempered frustrate level.... :)
Word has a habit of not recognizing what is going on.
I will often open a document, make a change, and try to save it. Word tells me that it can't save the file because another copy of the file is open - however, the file I'm trying to save is the only file open in Word. :)
As an It Professional, I have many encounters with persistent read locks left behind by MS products. Normally a reboot will fix it. But I've encountered a few where a complete shutdown and cold start were required to clear the file lock.
But I've encountered a few where a complete shutdown and cold start were required to clear the file lock.
On PCs, I've long relied on a freeware program to 'unlock' individual files I couldn't whenever I couldn't figure out WTF was locking them (most often, it was a separate 'screen grab' program I used, though MS was regularly a contender as well).
It would, most times, identify which program was locking the file, and if not, would allow you to 'unlock it anyway'.
Unfortunately, since I'm no longer using PCs regularly, I can't recall WTF it was called. :(
On PCs, I've long relied on a freeware program to 'unlock' individual files I couldn't whenever I couldn't figure out WTF was locking them
Not useful in a corporate IT environment.
Not useful in a corporate IT environment.
Nope, but there's a reason why hackers keep cranking out alternative solutions, cause the 'corporate guys' just don't give a damn about non-functional software.
It would, most times, identify which program was locking the file
Windows has a built-in tool for that:
Launch "perfmon.exe /res" Or Launch the task manager and in the "Performance" tab click on "Open Ressource Monitor" it's the same.
go to "CPU" tab
Select all Processes
In "Search Handles" type part of the file name (no wildcards)
To free up the file, right click on the handle and select "end task"
Windows has a built-in tool for that:
...
To free up the file, right click on the handle and select "end task"
The tool I'm thinking of doesn't require you to KILL the process. Instead, it simply unlocks the previously locked file without affecting the program controlling it. Most often this occurs when a program takes control, despite it's not owning, creating or even writing to the file.
The tool I'm thinking of doesn't require you to KILL the process. Instead, it simply unlocks the previously locked file without affecting the program controlling it. Most often this occurs when a program takes control, despite it's not owning, creating or even writing to the file.
Back then, the Resource Kits for Windows NT 3.51 and NT 4.0 had such a tool. However if used, the program that blocked the file could crash if it tried to access the freed file afterwards.
I don't know if M$ provided an updated utility for the newer versions. I faintly recall the NT4 version worked with Win2000 too.
HM.
Back then, the Resource Kits for Windows NT 3.51 and NT 4.0 had such a tool. However if used, the program that blocked the file could crash if it tried to access the freed file afterwards.
My most frequent issues with locked files are not with M$, but with Screen Capture utilities, which often lock various elements for some unknown reason. With Word, if there's a concern, you simply close your open files, shut WORD down, and then relaunch it to ensure it isn't continuing to lock the file after it's done with it. (Adobe is another company which frequently locks files/resources unnecessarily.)
Word has a habit of not recognizing what is going on.
Word, like all Microshit products, has a long and storied history of fucking up, and then, when users bitch about it, M$ blames the user, telling them to 'shut the fuck up' unless they have a major corporation helping them identify the problem and thoroughly documenting this extent of the problem (i.e. the size of the pending lawsuit to follow). :(
I still use MS Word, but it doesn't mean I'm required to like it!
If you have one of the older full purchase versions this sometimes happens if MS Word didn't close down properly the last time that document was opened, thus the software thinks it already has an open copy active and it thinks you're a second user, so it gives you read only access. If you're the only one with and open copy and this happens you need to close MS Word, find where the temp file for that document is and delete it so the next time you open it the software will not think you're a second copy user.
Note: This also sometimes happens if you have MS Word in Fast Save mode and the file has been changed so often the amount of memory used to open the document is too excessive it will only open in read mode. Then you have to change the Save mode and save the document to reduce the file size. - - Fast save records every key stroke and opens the document by applying them all to the last full save copy. Saving as a full Save will save only the latest version and lose the individual key strokes when you close the document after saving it.
When I got Word for my Mac, I had an option of getting a subscription and paying a license forever or buying it for a one-time fee with no updates. I chose the latter. But I get updates.
Switch to LibreOffice and it will never lock up again. I still have to hear from the first person who uses a feature that is not available in LibreOffice. It can handle bigger documents too without crashing them and it works on all platforms. Even the look-and-feel can be adjusted so it's exactly like Word. Yes, even that ugly ribbon ;)
I left Windex office in 2013 and never looked back. I tried Calibre for a couple of hours and almost regurgitated all over my Keyboard. I can import and export all the Windex files without scrambling them like MSOffice does.
Calibre is a file=conversion utility, not a Word Processor. So, if you gave up on Office, what did you replace it with, OO or a 'no-frills' text editor?
By the way, none of your points has anything to do with locked files by resource-hogging programs/apps from a variety of sources and a many different uses.
