How to Lock/Unlock Word Document from Editing in 4 Free Ways
Do you want to lock/protect your Microsoft Word Document from editing so that no one else can modify or make changes to the file? Do you wanna unlock/unprotect restrict editing in Word? This video will help you lock & unlock editing in Word with/without a password in 4 different ways.
Way 1: Always Open Read-Only
Step 1: Open your file, click File > Info.
Step 2: Tap Protect Document > Always Open Read-Only.
Step 3: Now the file is Read-only. Close the document and select Save.
Step 4: Next time you open the file, there’ll be a pop-up window “The author would like you to open this as read-only, unless you need to make changes. Open as read-only?”
Step 5: If you need to remove restrict editing, click No to continue.
Step 6: On File > Info > Protect Document, uncheck Always Open as Read-Only.
Way 2: Restrict Editing
Step 1: Tap Protect Document > Restrict Editing.
Step 2: Then a panel named Restrict Editing appears from the right.
Step 3: Check the box below the Editing restrictions.
Step 4: You can choose parts of the document that CAN be edited.
Step 5: And check Everyone, or select More users.
Step 6: Now click Yes, Start Enforcing Protection, and set your password, and then click OK.
Step 7: After this, editing will be restricted, while you can still modify the part you just selected.
Step 8: If you want to unlock it, click Stop Protection and enter the password you set.
Step 9: Uncheck Editing restrictions.
Way 3: Mark as Final
Step 1: File > Info > Mark as Final. And click OK on the pop-up windows.
Step 2: It’s locked for editing now.
Step 3: To unlock Word Document for editing, uncheck Mark as Final at the same place.
Way 4: General Options
Step 1: Press F12 on your keyboard to open Save as…
Step 2: First change the file name, and click Tools > General Options.
Step 3: You can restrict editing without password by checking Read-only recommended and clicking OK.
Step 4: Or you can set a password and click OK.
Step 5: Then tap Save.
Step 6: These steps will create a new copy of the original Word document. When opening this new file, you’ll be asked to select Read-only or give a password.
Step 7: Once you access the file, you can remove restrict editing. Press F12 again.
Step 8: Set a new file name again. Click Tools > General Options…
Step 9: Delete the password on the box and click OK.
Step 10: Save and there will be a new file without password on the same file folder.
