Microsoft KB Archive/79644

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WinWord: Assigning Passwords to Template Files

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Q79644

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c

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SUMMARY
In Microsoft Word for Windows, you can assign a password to protect custom templates. You cannot assign a password to templates that come with Word for Windows; however, if you create your own templates based on the program templates, the option to assign a password becomes available.

This is not a problem in Word for Windows version 6.0. It is possible to assign a password to templates that come with Word for Windows version 6.0.

MORE INFORMATION
Any document based on a password-protected template requires the password to access the template. If the document is used on another computer without the password-protected template available, the file generates an error message stating .DOT is not found, where is the name of the template the document is based on.

When this error appears, choosing the OK button causes the document to use the Normal template, and the document is not protected with the template password.

To display the contents of the document that is based on the password-protected template, use the following steps:


 * 1) From the File menu, choose File Find. Select the document in the list.
 * 2) Choose the OK button when Word prompts you for the password.
 * 3) Choose the OK button when prompted for the password a second time.
 * 4) Choose the Options button. Under List File Names With, select Content, and then choose the OK button.

The contents of the document appears on the screen.

For information on password protecting documents see &quot;Protecting Documents from Changes&quot; in the &quot;Microsoft Word for Windows User's Guide.&quot;

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

"Q80090 WinWord: Avoiding Password Prompt Using FileNew Command"