Windows 10 - Why do I get a permission error when saving existing Word files?

[Windows Central Question]

Windows 10 - Permission error when saving existing Word file

Hi everyone,

I've recently installed Windows 10 and since today I'm having this issue when I edit an existing Word document and try to save it.

The error:
"Word cannot complete the save due to a file permission error.
(C:\User\...\Ongoing Notes\InfoSoft.docx)"

I've noticed that there is a new user account that I didn't have before, which is an account associated to my Gmail. However, I've checked which account I logged in before opening the Word document, modifying and trying to save it - and it is an account with theoretically full control.

Has anyone had this error? Any ideas on how to fix it?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[elindalyne]

I'm assuming you upgraded from Windows 7 and used a local account prior and now are logging in via a Microsoft Account.

Basically Microsoft did a bad job at setting permissions on files that were created previously under a local account during Windows 10 setup. Since you're not technically logged into your local account anymore, the local accounts permissions don't carry over. The 'Authenticated Users' group is now what you're accessing files under in most cases and giving 'Authenticated Users' Modify and Write access will solve the issue.

To do this right click on the file -> Properties -> Security -> Select 'Authenticated Users' and click Edit -> Check Modify and Write.

If that fails, add the account you log in as 'xxx@xxx.com' and set the Modify and Write properties as mentioned above.

Note you can do this on the folder or drive level as well.

 

[castelloaus]

Thanks for your prompt support elindalyne !

I have a feeling that, even though I am manually login in with my main account (not the Gmail one that I've mentioned before), which is the one that should have full control, I go to this folder > right click on it > properties > security .. and the first thing is that I don't see the "authenticated users" option, I believe I'm NOT logged in as an full controller (Administrator). The reason I say that is because following this process, I don't have permission to change anything. I'm not even allowed to add a new account, as you have given as an option too.

 

[castelloaus]

Just a quick update...

I checked if my user had full access and it does, so that is not the problem.

One thing I did was to type "C:\Users" in the File Explorer bar, then right click on that same user and noticed the folder was marked as "Read-only". So I changed that which allowed me to work normally with my folders and files again.

Just a note... this change happened after I upgraded the system to Windows 10. Not sure why, but it's working fine now.

 

[JanBeaumont]

I'm having similar problems. Note as a user I don't have Full Control, but if I try and edit the permissions I have to put in an Administrators password and I don't have one. I appear to be on a Local Account. Likewise no Authenticated Users shown on file or folder properties, only on the C drive and no permissions attributed to it.

So what next ?

 

[Daniel Smith14]

It shouldn't be an issue anymore. Word file permission errors can be fixed on your Windows 10 computer by just making use of a repair software as shown here - https://youtu.be/flsod_HwJL0