Word says "document protected" in old and new files

[Jaena]

I suddenly can't edit anything in my saved Word files. I can't even access
the "protect" button under the Review section on top to change anything.
When I open a new document I can't type anything - it just says "....document
protected" on the bottom of the screen. These are fairly new files, and I
don't recall protecting them in any way. Please help!

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

Maybe you have a trial version of Office 2003 or 2007, and the trial
period has ended. Or maybe you have not activated your Office software.

What happens if you start Word 2003 and click on Help | Activate
Product, or if you start Word 2007 and click on Office Button | Word
Options | Resources | Activate? If you are already activated, a dialog
box saying so will appear. If you are not activated, the Activation
Wizard will start. If you have an expired trial version, a dialog box
will prompt you to enter a valid product key or convert (purchase a key)
online.

 

[Jaena]

I believe I just have a trial version, because when Word starts up, it
prompts me to enter a product key, which I don't have, or know about. I
think you've answered my question. Thank you very much!
Do you know if you have to buy Word 07 from a store? Or can you download it
from somewhere?

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

You cannot legally download a full version of Office 2007 from anywhere
unless you have a Microsoft Technet or MSDN subscription. It is
possible to do an online conversion of your trial software to a
perpetual license... see
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA101936151033.aspx "Activation
and conversion information for 2007 Microsoft Office system Trials" for
more information. But in some ways it would be better (and probably
cheaper) to buy Office 2007 from your favorite retail store or an online
vendor like amazon.com, uninstall the trial software, and then install
your purchased software.