Read only word documents

LastbutFast

Just spent several frustrating hours on my laptop after I suddenly found all my saved Word documents had mysteriously become 'read only' overnight. Hence I could not save any changes I made to these documents, nor could I create and save new documents. Trawled google for hours and tried several suggestions regarding administrator permissions and geeky things beyond my knowledge to no avail! Then I noticed my AVG antivirus (paid version) had been updated and noted it now has 'hacker protection' to protect files etc. So I switched it off and voila, my documents are no longer read only and can be edited and saved, as well as newly created documents. Just thought I would share this in case anyone else is experiencing this. I have turned the hacker protection back on pro tem until I need to go into my documents again.

Le_Kirk

You should be complaining to those who sold you the AVG, it is supposed to protect you not prevent you from reading, editing and saving your own files! Is there a settings page anywhere that you can select certain files to ignore or set up as safe or similar wording?

wongataa

Dump AVG. Use Windows Defender/Security Essentials depending version of Windows you are using.

LastbutFast

Thks Le Kirk
Contacted avg support. They advised me to go into ransomeware page and then into blocked/allowed apps. For some unbeknown reason windowc.exe was showing as blocked. I deleted this reopened documents and then was given the option of allowing the app, which overcomes the read only problem without completely turning off hacker protection. I did point out to them that not everyone is tech savvy and such an update without some warning/caution caused me and possibly others hours of frustration and wasted time. Wogataa I will consider an alternative as soon as avg expires in 2years, deep joy!