Word: cannot open password protected file
Thread poster: ibz
ibz
ibz  Identity Verified
Local time: 10:09
Member (2007)
English to German
+ ...
May 4, 2015

Dear all,

I have received a password protected file from a client using a PC whereas I use a Mac. Even though I have the correct password, I can't open the document ("Wrong password"). Any ideas why this is so or what I could try?

Thank you in advance!


 
Tom in London
Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:09
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Try this May 4, 2015

Try this:

Open a blank document in Word. In the menu bar, select insert>file and select the password protected file.

Or this:

Download Open Office and try opening it with that.


 
Platary (X)
Platary (X)
Local time: 10:09
German to French
+ ...
Alternatives May 4, 2015

1) Ask the client an unprotected file.

2) If the document must be protected, the MAC passwords have not the same format as the Windows passwords (the reason why you cannot open the file even if you have the password). Ask the client to give a new version with a compatible key.

3) Use a free online decrpyt service (your choice...)


 
ibz
ibz  Identity Verified
Local time: 10:09
Member (2007)
English to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you, Tom May 4, 2015

... no luck, though
I keep looking for a solution. Very strange, isn't it?


 
Tom in London
Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:09
Member (2008)
Italian to English
Try this May 4, 2015

Can you make a duplicate of the file?

If so, try changing the suffix of the duplicate to .txt and see if it will open in TextEdit


 
Tom in London
Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:09
Member (2008)
Italian to English
(added later) May 4, 2015

Or if things get really desperate, you might try this:

http://echoone.com/filejuicer/


 
Johanna Timm, PhD
Johanna Timm, PhD  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 02:09
English to German
+ ...
Unprotect a Word document on Mac May 5, 2015

I found this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEocVQHLfKc

Hope this works for you!

johanna


 
ibz
ibz  Identity Verified
Local time: 10:09
Member (2007)
English to German
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Very strange indeed May 5, 2015

Thank you all for your help and comments!
I just tried to open the document on all of my three Macs and strangely enough, I couldn't open it on two of them, whereas it worked on the third. All of my computers are equipped with the same system, same software ... Is there a rational explanation for this or just one the many mysteries of technology?
I'm still wondering ...
Irene


 
Liz Harris
Liz Harris
United States
open password protected file Apr 23, 2019

Are you sure your password is correct? You may have to treat this as if you forgot the password to the maximum, using VBA or XML to open protected document without password.

 
denglad
denglad
Russian
try it Sep 29, 2021

You can try this solution. But it will be easy as pie to send the file without the password. I should say it will be even faster and more reliable.

 


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Word: cannot open password protected file






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