SYMPTOMS
When you try to open or replace (overwrite) an
encrypted Microsoft Word document, you may be unable to do so, and you may
receive one of the error messages described in the following
scenarios.
NOTE: If the Word document is password-protected, you may be prompted
twice to enter the password, instead of
once as expected.
Case 1
When you attempt to open or replace the Word document in
Microsoft Word 2002, you receive the following error message:
Word cannot open this file. The encryption type used is
not available, contact the author of the file. More encryption types are
available using the High Encryption Pack.
(path\filename)
Case 2
When you attempt to save a Word document by replacing
(overwriting) an existing file, you receive the following error message:
You cannot save while the file is in use by another
process. Try saving the file with a new name.
(path\filename)
When you click
OK, the
Save As dialog box appears and you are able to save the document by using
a different file name.
Case 3
When you attempt to open a Word document, the document is not
opened and you receive the following error message:
The
document name or path is not valid. Try these suggestions.
* Check the
file permissions for the document or drive.
* Use the File Open dialog box
to locate the document.
(path\filename)
For additional information, click the article number
below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
286890 WD2002: Error Message: "The Document Name or Path Is Not Valid" When You Use the Wrong Password to Open a Word Document
Case 4
When you attempt to open a Word document, the document is not
opened, and you receive the following error message:
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.
(path\filename)
For additional information, click the article number
below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
286890 WD2002: Error Message: "The Document Name or Path Is Not Valid" When You Use the Wrong Password to Open a Word Document
WORKAROUND
To work around this issue, use one of the following
methods.
Method 1: Update Encryption Support
Install an encryption pack available for your version of
Microsoft Internet Explorer or your Microsoft Windows operating system. To do
this, browse to the following Microsoft Web site:
Method 2: Remove or Lower the Level of Document Encryption
Contact the author of the document to have the encryption level
lowered to an encryption level (or key length) available on your computer, or
request a copy of the document without encryption.
NOTE: To determine the Word 2002 encryption level available on your
computer, follow these steps:
- Start Microsoft Word 2002.
- On the Tools menu, click Options.
- In the Options dialog box, click Advanced on the Security tab.
- In the Encryption Type dialog box, note the encryption types (and key lengths) available
on the computer.