Cannot delete locked Word document

[Martha]

Years ago I created a Microsoft Word document, and my husband locked
the file. Now, several computers later, I still have this locked
document haunting me. One copy would be fine. But since it is locked,
it will not let me throw it away. It also has managed to put a
permanent copy on my desktop, where the icon displays the padlock
symbol. I would dearly love to get it off my desktop if I can't get it
off the computer itself. I have created a folder and dragged it into
the folder. It puts a copy of itself in the folder, and leaves the copy
on the desktop. I now have 5 copies of it on my laptop in various
places, and at least two on my desktop computer. One copy sits in my
trash and will not delete. I am afraid to remove it from the trash
because of the auto copying function, I don't need more copies at this
point.

My computers are: Macintosh G5 with OS 10.4.7, and Powerbook with same
OS. Both have Microsoft Word 2004 for Mac Version 11.2

The document opens Read Only in the title bar, but gives me the option
window to save changes to it when I close it. I have not tried to save
changes to it. I tried to unlock it following Word Help. I went to the
Master Document toolbar, but the icon Expand Subdocuments is faded, so
inactive. Is there a way to remove this document short of
re-initializing my entire computer?

 

[Beth Rosengard]

Hi Martha,

Try this: Click on one of the docs and do a Get Info (Cmd>i). In the
Ownership & Permissions section of the Info dialog, change the button to
Read & Write. Close the dialog. Can you delete now? If so, you'll have to
repeat this process on all the copies of the doc. If not, post back.

--
***Please always reply to the newsgroup!***

Beth Rosengard
MacOffice MVP

Mac Word FAQ: <http://word.mvps.org/Mac/WordMacHome.html>
My Site: <http://www.bethrosengard.com>

 

[CyberTaz]

And if that doesn't do it take a trip to Dr. Smoke's X Lab for a "secret" or
two:

http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html

 

[Martha]

Hi, I was not able to get the command i to function and bring up the
info box. The document kept inserting an italic i in front of wherever
the cursor is. I tried it several times, both in the locked document
and in another recently made Word document. Pressing simultaneously,
and one after the other. The command key is the one with the apple sign
on it. Is it possible this function is disabled on my computer?

However, I did go to this link, and found the directions for force
emptying the trash. That did work, on all copies of the document except
the version on the desktop. That version of the document will not go to
the trash, I get the message the operation cannot be completed because
the item is locked. Any more suggestions? At least I no longer have 5
copies of this document, but I would still like to get rid of the
version on the desktop.

Thanks, Martha

 

[Martha]

Very strange, I tried command i on other files (pdf, excell) and it
worked fine. Then it worked on another word file, and then finally it
worked on the icon of this document I have been trying to get rid of. I
clicked unlock, and then was able to successfully throw it away, and
empty the trash. Problem solved. Thanks for the help. Martha

 

[CyberTaz]

Glad the link helped, but I think you may have misunderstood the Get Info
instructions... Do *not* open the file - in fact, Word doesn't even have to
be running.

Click the file icon on your Desktop to select it, then key Cmd+I to open the
Get Info dialog, remove the check on Locked. The close the dialog & you
should be able to dispose of your nemesis once & for all

Alternatively, you could Ctrl+Click the file icon & select Get Info from the
contextual menu.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Beth Rosengard]

Glad you got it solved. That was one very stubborn document !

Beth