How do I create a password protected Word document?

How do I protect a microsoft file with a password? The purpose is, i don't want word to open up my file without asking for a password.. every time i'll open my file i want that it will ask always a password...

Dave's Answer:

This is quite a bit trickier than I think it should be, because the logical place to find the password option, to me at least, is the File --> Properties area of Microsoft Word, but don't rush off and look there, that's not where you set a password for your file.

Instead, you need to go to Tools --> Options, at which point you'll find a dialog box with about a zillion different tabs. Click on the Security tab and you'll see this:

Specify a password for a Microsoft Word document

Notice that you can also set an "edit" password if you're okay with people having the document but want to prevent them from editing the contents. That's not quite what you want, so it's the "Password to open" that you need to fill in.

I also encourage you to click on the "Remove personal information from file properties on save" too, to give you a bit more privacy if the file might make its way out onto the Internet or otherwise leave your own machine.

Click "OK" and it'll ask you to confirm the new password:

Confirm your password for a Microsoft Word document

Don't forget this password lest you end up losing the contents of the file entirely.

Now, save the file as usual and when you try to open it, instead of the contents popping up as usual, you get exactly what you seek:

Opening a password protected file in Microsoft Word

Hope that helps you out!

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Comments

You can also use the "Save As" option.

Next click on The "Tools" in the upper right corner of the Save As dialog.

Then click on "Security Options".

Posted by: Richard Frisch at March 28, 2006 10:03 PM

thanks. it worked

Posted by: pipes at March 31, 2006 2:08 AM

dear sir
i am working in a company as IT Operator.here in this office all system are IBM branded PCs, iwant to know when we buy a new IBM system they will provide operating system Cd?

Posted by: shamsudeen at April 8, 2006 5:35 AM

hey thanks for this site, it was really helpful, i always have alot of people on my pc and i dont want them copying my documents at school, so thanks again.

Posted by: Tru at July 30, 2007 7:46 PM

Hi Dave, the above given method of saving files with password was easy to follow but while searching with google desktop for a particular word which may be in the file,in that case, will the file details or contents be displayed.

Posted by: basumatkar at March 6, 2008 11:26 PM

Thank You

Posted by: premanand at January 20, 2009 5:00 AM

Is there any API available to make a excel file password protected from a java program?

Posted by: Ravin at February 2, 2009 11:52 PM

How does it work to password in the new microsoft office 7? I tried the above and it does not show that when I clk on tools options security =(
Thanks

Posted by: dn at February 20, 2009 9:39 AM

Hi Dave, I have a question... or a million... but let's start with this one. Could you please tell me if there's a way to create a password-protected file containing pictures?
Thank you

Posted by: Nizama at April 14, 2009 8:16 AM

Dear David
I missed my word file password. How do I crack a password protected Word document?
Please help me
Sincerely

Posted by: Kiyumars Jalili at May 6, 2009 11:47 PM

Hi, how would you put a password on a Microsoft Word 2007 document?
There is no "Tools" tab..[on mine that is].

Posted by: Bree at May 30, 2009 12:52 AM

thanks ya for above information about password set in msword................

Posted by: shanmugam at July 2, 2009 10:15 AM

i have a q how can i add password to an a new folder in the computer

Posted by: sweet at August 9, 2009 10:13 AM

Hi, thanks for this! You were the only one who was able to help me! Keep it up!

Posted by: Loid at September 9, 2009 7:59 PM

how can i put the password on the word as i ma ahving vista and the above tool option is not available

Posted by: madhusudan at November 18, 2009 5:43 AM

it is very usefull for me.
Thanks

Posted by: vijay baheti at December 10, 2009 12:34 AM

hello Deva sir,
i forgot my document opening password, could you please tell me how to recover the password

Posted by: subhash at December 10, 2009 4:53 AM

dear sir, then how can we crack that password, can you please tell me

Posted by: dilip at December 15, 2009 3:26 AM

To password protect in Word 2007, click on save as then hit the tools option in the lower left corner of the box. From the drop down menu, click on General Options. From there you can enter your password to protect your document.

Posted by: AM at December 20, 2009 5:54 PM

sir i want to creak word file password so plz help me

Posted by: sam at January 31, 2010 11:36 PM

yes I tried to give passwords in my word document and its really successfull.

Posted by: amju at February 24, 2010 12:58 AM

thank you very much this happen me very happy .. im fromm nepal

Posted by: gopal at March 25, 2010 2:06 AM

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can't beleive that I forgot how to do this & it's been driving me NUTS!

Posted by: Rhonda at May 27, 2010 5:04 PM

Thank you so much! I have a shared computer and I really wanted to protect my personal files. Thank you thank you thank you!

Posted by: marissa at July 8, 2010 6:52 PM

I would like to make this my perminent password.

Posted by: David V Petty at July 11, 2010 4:32 PM

I would like to make Davidblue my perminent password.

Posted by: David V Petty at July 11, 2010 4:35 PM

yehey. now i know how to set a password in ms word 2007,, i will have a 20 pts. in my comp subject yehey

Posted by: kkkk at July 13, 2010 7:03 AM

thank mister!

Posted by: RJ at July 13, 2010 11:29 AM

hey it was a useful information for me, now i will be able to protect my word document.

Posted by: vinay at August 18, 2010 11:39 PM

how can i set a password in msword 07

Posted by: raj at October 27, 2010 2:59 AM

in Word2007
the dialog box is hidden

moved to

SAVE AS
TOOLS (Bottom left)
GENERAL OPTIONS

- yes it is a stupid place to hide that function!

Posted by: rich at February 4, 2011 2:39 PM

Thanks for your advice.

Posted by: Angyl at April 26, 2011 6:52 AM

perfect advice brother
thanks a lot

Posted by: prem at September 14, 2011 10:15 AM

Thanks,Dave.
I have successfully created a password on a word doc for the 1st time..thanks again.

Posted by: Radha at October 29, 2011 4:20 AM

Thanks Dave. The instructions were clear.

Posted by: caroline at January 2, 2012 12:20 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!