WD: Error Msg: "Word Cannot Open the Document"

ID: Q173547

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word for Windows, version 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

Under the following circumstances, an error message appears when you attempt to open a Word document.

Case 1: The Document Is Protected with Multiple Passwords

The document is not opened.

If you are using Word 6.x or Word 7.x, the following error message appears:
Word cannot open the document: <path>\<filename>
This problem occurs when the following conditions are true:
  • The Temp directory variable points to a drive with more than 2 gigabytes (GB) of free disk space available.



    • -and-

  • The document is protected with two passwords (an Open password and a Modify password).


    • NOTE: In Word 6.x and Word 7.x, this problem occurs if you use a Protection Password and/or a Write Reservation Password.
After you correctly type the first password (called the Open password) for access to the file, a second dialog box appears with the options (1) enter an open password or alternatively, (2) access the file read- only by clicking the Read-only button.

After you click Read-only (without entering a modify password), the document fails to open.

Case 2: You Attempt to Open a Document That Is in Use by Another Person

When you try to open a document that is in use by another user, you are given the option to open a read-only copy of the document, and you receive the following message: 

   <path>\<document.doc> is in use by <username>. Do you want to make a
   copy?
where <path>\<document.doc> is the location and name of the document, and <username> is the name of the person who has the document open.

After you click OK, the following error message appears:
Word cannot open the document. Try one or more of the following:
- On the File Menu, click open to open the document.
- Make sure the document has a .doc extension.
After you click OK, the document fails to open.

Case 3: You Try to Open a Document Saved with Read-only Recommended

When you attempt to open a document that has been saved with Read-only recommended, the following error message appears:
Word cannot open the document. Try one or more of the following:
- On the File Menu, click open to open the document.
- Make sure the document has a .doc extension.
After you click OK, the document fails to open.


CAUSE

A variable limit was reached. Therefore, current disk free space appeared to be less than the amount required for creating an associated Temp file.


RESOLUTION

If you are using Microsoft Word version 7.0a for Windows 95, an updated Winword.exe file that resolves this problem is available from Microsoft Technical Support. For information about how to obtain this update, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q217027 OFF95: How to Download and Install the Year 2000 Update
There have been several releases of this patch. Make sure you obtain the latest version.

Workaround for Case 1

To temporarily work around this problem, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: Reset the TEMP environment variable:

Set the TEMP environment variable to point to a Fat or NTFS drive that contains less than 2 GB of free space. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Close all open programs.


  2. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.


  3. Double-click the System icon, and click the Environment tab.


  4. In the User Variable box, select the TEMP variable.


  5. In the Value box, type the path to the new location--a drive containing less than 2 GB of free space.


  6. Restart your computer.


Method 2: Create a Swap File to Reduce the Amount of Perceived Disk Space:

On the drive on which the Temp directory is located, create a swap file large enough to create the impression of less free disk space (less than 2 GB).

Method 3: Use NTFS to Set the Permissions of the File:

Give the document Read-Only permission at the NTFS file level rather than protecting it with a password in Word.

Workaround for Case 2

Method 1: Reset the TEMP environment variable:

Set the TEMP environment variable to point to a Fat or NTFS drive that contains less than 2 GB of free space. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Close all open applications.


  2. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.


  3. Double-click the System icon, and click the Environment tab.


  4. In the User Variable box, select the TEMP variable.


  5. In the Value box, type the path to the new location--a drive containing less than 2 GB of free space.


  6. Restart your computer.


Method 2: Create a Swap File to Reduce the Amount of Perceived Disk Space:

On the drive on which the Temp directory is located, create a swap file large enough to create the impression of less free disk space (less than 2 GB).

Workaround for Case 3

Method 1: Reset the TEMP environment variable:

Set the TEMP environment variable to point to a Fat or NTFS drive that contains less than 2 GB of free space. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Close all open applications.


  2. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.


  3. Double-click the System icon and click the Environment tab.


  4. In the User Variable box, select the TEMP variable.


  5. In the Value box, type the path to the new location--a drive containing less than 2 GB of free space.


  6. Restart your computer.


Method 2: Create a Swap File to Reduce the Amount of Perceived Disk Space:

On the drive on which the Temp directory is located, create a swap file large enough to create the impression of less free disk space (less than 2 GB).


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.


MORE INFORMATION

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

Q189439 WD97: Word Fails to Open 'Cannot Open The Existing <Square>'"/>

Additional query words: readonly read only temp dir directory failed to open password

Keywords : kberrmsg kbdta
Version : WINDOWS:6.0,7.0,7.0a
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug


Last Reviewed: October 19, 1999
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