How to Fix “Word Cannot Complete the Save” Permission Error?

The "Word Cannot Complete the Save" permission error occurs when Word is unable to save the document. This is because the file or folder in which the file is located does not have the appropriate permissions set for Word to edit the item in question. This is normally because the file is on a shared folder or network drive, and the user doesn't have appropriate rights.

How to Fix the Permission Error "Word Cannot Complete the Save"

It could also be that the file is open in some other application, an Office add-in is corrupted, or an antivirus application is interfering with it.

The following methods will help solve the issue.

1. Try renaming the file before saving.

By renaming the document, Word could avoid whatever problems in permission or access existed with the old file by just creating a new one. In that way, Word could save the manuscript without problems caused by locked files or system limitations.

Go to File then click Save As.

Rename the file, and choose a destination. You can give it a number at the start, or use an entirely different name altogether.

It will instantly save, without touching or affecting the original file. Instead of saving to portable media, ensure that you are saving it to a local computer, such as the Desktop.

2. Disable Antivirus Software

If the antivirus recognizes normal operations as threats, then Word will not be allowed to save files. You may want to see if turning it off temporarily would help.

For any further details, go through our article on how to disable antivirus software.

3. Check in Safe Mode

Once Safe Mode has been launched, Word runs with its most basic setting. At this point, all add-ons and customized settings are off. If the problem is still present once the switching to Safe Mode has occurred, it is likely that a third-party software or an improper setting has generated this problem.

In the pop-up dialog box after pressing Windows + R, Type "winword /safe" and Enter.

It will open Microsoft Word in Safe Mode. Open the file you want, using File > Open.

Make your edits as desired and then try saving. If it saves properly, that may suggest either a problem with your add-ins or a corrupted user profile.

Under COM Add-ins, click Go to disable them, via File > Options > Add-ins.

You will be taken to a page with a list of all of the add-ins. After you have toggled each one off, close and restart Word. See if the problem is gone. It will pinpoint if an add-in is problematic. If it isn't one of these, then you can always try creating a new profile and attempt again to edit and save the document.

Follow our article to learn how you can create a new account and transfer all your data onto it.

4. Claim the File as Your Own

By taking complete ownership of a file, you can remove obstacles that prevent you from editing them or saving your edits. In case you ever moved or opened files over a network and the permissions were set incorrectly, then you can resolve such issues by making changes in permissions.

Taking ownership of the document

If you can't delete a folder in Windows 10, just follow the steps from our article. Taking ownership of a folder and a file is essentially the same process, so you may simply follow these steps to take ownership of your Word document.

5. Keep Windows and Word up to date.

If none of the above works, this may fix the problem by simply renewing Windows and Microsoft Word. Permission issues are fixed in updates by patching bugs, increasing compatibility, and enhancing security. You can reduce the chances that an outdated aspect of either causes your saving problem by ensuring both Microsoft Word and Windows update regularly as patches tend to appear in later versions.

Press the Windows + S keys and type "update" in the search field to open Settings and access it. While in the Settings menu, find Seek for Updates.

After you click it, your computer will connect to Microsoft servers, checking if there is an available update. If the problem is fixed after you have installed all updates including Windows and Microsoft Office, try restarting your computer and check it again.

We hope this tutorial will guide you in finding the exact cause of the license error and resolve it in order to easily fix the problem "Word cannot be completed stored.".