How to Solve MS Word Error Message "This file is read only"?

There are many MS Word user who receive the error message "This file is read-only" when they try to save (after editing) the MS Word document. The reason behind this error message is very simple but still there are many users who do not understand it. Let me explain you why this error message appears.

MS word has a file security attribute (called "Read only") which can prevent unauthorized users from editing or making any changes in word file. This feature is used by the file owner to make sure that readers of a (common ) file can not edit the file. When you open a "Read only" password protected file then MS word shows you a message box informing that the file is made read only by owner and you need password to modify it. If you want to make changes in it then you need password to edit it (but it can be opened in read only mode without password). If you have access to password then you can follow the steps given below to free word document from read only password protection.

1. Open the Document in MS Word.

2. If it asks for password then open it in read only mode.

3. Click Tools on Navigation bar

4. Select "Unprotect".

5. If it asks for password then enter the password in the dialog box and click "OK".

Now your Word document is free for editing.

If you are using MS Word 2003 or XP then you can follow the given below steps to remove "Read only" password (without using original password).

1. Open the Word Document.

2. Press alt+shift+F11 to view the document in HTML mode.

3. Press ctrl+F to find the following HTML code:

<wocumentProtection>Read-only</wocumentProtection>

<w:UnprotectPassword>2412953A</w:UnprotectPassword>

4. Delete both of these lines and save the word document.

5. Close the HTML editor.

Now you can open word document without any password.

Here it is important to note that the above mentioned steps can be used only for removal of "Read only" password. If your document is protected with "Password to open" security then you are completely locked out of the document. In such situation you can use Word password recovery software to unlock word document. These software can easily remove all type of password protection enabled to word document.

How to Protect Access Database by User Level Security?

MS Access is one of the most popular DBMS systems in the market. It provides very simple and flexible features to manage and manipulate the data of the database. In parallel to these features, MS Access also provides a very important user-level security feature which is very helpful to manage database security. User-level security controls the access to database depending upon the role of user. For example, it can be used to prevent sales person from accessing the accounting data. 

You can follow the below given steps to Enable User-Level Security:

1. Open MS Access Database you want to secure.

2. Go to Tools menu-> Select Security -> Click User-Level Security

3. You will see "Security Wizard" window having two options: "Create a new workgroup information file" and "Modify a current workgroup information file". Since you are doing it first time so select "Create a new workgroup information file" and click "Next".

4. In next window you need to specify File Name, WID (workgroup identity), your name and company name. Here you can also specify that whether you want security settings to apply on the currently editing database or you want to make it default permission for all database files. Select appropriate option according to your need and click "Next".

5. Next you need to select which table, query, forms, reports and Macros should be covered by user-level security settings. If you want to secure complete database then simply click "Next".

6. Next you need to select the predefined groups which should be enabled in the database. Each group has specific set of permissions granted to them (click the group to see permissions). Depending upon these permissions you can include the groups and click “Next”.

7. In the next screen you need to specify different permissions which can be granted to default user group (in addition with the predefined groups MS Access also creates two other groups User and Admin). There are two options: "Yes, I would like to grant some permission to the user group" and "No, the user group should not have any permission". If you don’t want to allow any permission then select second option and click "Next".

8. Next screen will provide you option to add user to workgroup information and assign each user a unique personal id and password. Click “Next”.

9. In the next window you can assign users to groups in workgroup information file (a single user to more than one group). Click “Next”.

10. In the Next (and last) screen you are provided with the option to make a backup of unencrypted database. This backup database can allow you to recover data if you forget user password. Click "Finish".

Now you have encrypted your database using user-level security.

Here it should be noted that User-Level security can be implemented to MS Access files having old file format (such as .mdb or .ade). It can not be used with files having accdb, accde, accdc and accdr. Data contained in these file formats can be protected by enabling password on mdb file (which is much different approach then user-level security). 

You should also keep in mind that in user-level security if a user forget password then database administrator can grant him permission again but if mdb file password is lost then administrator is also blocked from accessing the database. In such situation you can use Access Password Recovery Software to recover mdb file password and regain access to database.

How to Bypass Administrator Password without Password Revealer Software?

It is very common for PC user to enable Windows login password (it can be user or administrator password) because every PC user stores all his personal as well as official data in his/her PC. There is no doubt that enabling login password provides security to their confidential data but many times it can also create problem to PC user if they forget it. Such PC user faces many problems if they have not maintained proper resources (recovery disk, guest account or alternative admin account) to recover their login password.

Here I am sharing how to reset Administrator or User account password by using Windows XP bootable CD.

Resources Needed: Windows XP bootable CD.

1. Insert the Windows XP installation disk into CD/DVD drive and restart PC.
2. At restart you will see the message “Press Any Key to Boot from CD”. You can press any key on the keyboard to continue.
   
   
   
3. Windows will start copying files and after that you will be asked to press Enter key to start the installation key. Hit “Enter” key.
4. Next you will see Welcome screen with three options:

• To set up Windows XP now, press Enter.
• To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery console, press R.
• To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
  Hit “Enter” key
  
  
  

5. Next you will see “Windows XP Licensing Agreement”. Press F8 key to continue.
   
   
   
6. In the next screen you will see the Drive. Select the Windows drive (in which Windows is installed) and press 'R'.
   
   
   
7. Windows will start copying the files from the CD and after completion Windows automatically reboot. At reboot take out installation disk from CD/DVD drive.
   
   
   
8. After reboot Windows installer screen appears. You can see the installation progress on the left hand side of screen. The completed task is represented by placing a green dot in front of it and current task is represented by highlighting it with Red colour. A horizontal bar also shows the specific components which are being installed.
9. When you see message "Installing Devices" (above horizontal bar) press "Shift + F10".
   
   
   
10. It will open command prompt. Type “control userpasswords2” and press "Enter".
11. It will open "User Accounts" control panel from where you can easily change Administrator (and User account) password and other settings.
    
    
    

After changing Admin password click type "Exit" at command prompt. Windows installation process will resume and let it complete successfully. Now you can login to Administrator account with new password.

This method is considered as one of the best methods to reset administrator password. The only drawback of this method is that it can be used with computer systems having Windows XP operating system. If you want to reset administrator password of PC having any other operating system then you can use passwordrevealer software to reset Windows password.