Converting Password-Protected Documents in Word for Windows

• Microsoft Word for Windows, version 6.0

SYMPTOMS

A password-protected document created in Word 6.0 for Windows and saved in Word for Windows 2.0 format will not prompt the user for a password when the document is opened in Word 2.0. The document will open without the password.

A password-protected document saved in Word 6.0 for Windows native format ("Word Document") and opened in Word 2.0 for Windows using the MSWORD6.CNV will produce the following three messages after the "Convert file from" dialog is accepted:

   Cannot open password-protected file.
   Not enough memory to complete operation.
   Word cannot open the document.

CAUSE

When the document is saved in Word for Windows 2.0 format, the password is not saved because the converter is based on the RTF specification, and the password is not saved to RTF.

When the document is saved in Word 6.0 for Windows native format, the MSWORD6.CNV does not support conversion of the password.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Word 2.x and 6.0 for Windows have password-protection features that require the user to type a case-sensitive password before opening the protected document.

A password-protected document created in Word 2.x for Windows and opened in Word 6.0 for Windows will prompt for the password. The document will open when the password is correctly typed.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0, Chapter 21, "Opening, Saving, and Protecting Documents," Protecting Documents from Changes" section