Word document (before Version 2007)
is read-only/locked

You downloaded a Lesson Assignment from a course page and you get an error when trying to save it and any changes you made. The error code is either "File is read-only" or "File is locked"

This happens, because you clicked on OPEN and not SAVE in your browser.

To be able to save your data to this document, you have to save it just one time to your local computer, preferably to the desktop or anywhere you will be able to find it again.

In Word or OpenOffice click on FILE > SAFE AS > select the DESKTOP > - this would be a good opportunity to add your name in front of the filename - click on SAVE. (See screenshots below) From this moment on, you will be able to use this document normally.

then

To find it again, look on your desktop. (Close down or minimize all programs to do this) If you do not have too many icons on your desktop, it will look like this:

Very important! Never(!) delete files beginning with ~$. (In this screenshot, the file below the red rectangle) These are important temporary files created by Word. They will vanish automatically the moment you close either this particular file or Word altogether.