Password protection lost when saving as earlier versions

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This article was previously published under Q168098

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to open a password protected file in Word, one or more of the following error messages may be displayed:

Cannot convert password protected documents
Word cannot open the document.

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CAUSE

Access to a file is restricted when the document has been saved with any type of password protection. All of the converters in Microsoft Word will not convert password protected files.

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WORKAROUND

Open and re-save the document without password protection in the original program before you open the document in Word.

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You cannot convert a password-protected file created in another word processor (such as Word Perfect, AmiPro, or Enable) from any version of Word.

NOTE: The password protection feature in Word requires you to type a case- sensitive password before you can open a document. Word converters do not prompt you for the password, and will not allow you to convert a password protected document.

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REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

193545 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/193545/EN-US/ ) WD: Password Protection Lost When Saving as Earlier Versions

121000 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/121000/EN-US/ ) Enable Word Processing Converter Capabilities and Limitations

141012 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/141012/EN-US/ ) Find Fast Does Not Index Password Protected Files

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APPLIES TO

Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition

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kbbug kbfaq KB168098

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Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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