SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint Synced Documents Opening as Read-Only in Office Apps

Khadija Khan Oct 14, 2026 868 views

Question details

Documents synced from a SharePoint library to OneDrive open as read-only in desktop Office apps, accompanied by a padlock icon in File Explorer.

How to Fix SharePoint Synced Documents Opening as Read-Only in Office Apps

Product: SharePoint and OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open and edit locally synced SharePoint documents in desktop Office applications when the library has specific versioning and approval settings enabled.
Observed behavior: Files open in read-only mode in Word or other Office apps, display a padlock icon in File Explorer, and changing Document Access Mode fails to resolve the saving problem.

Before you start

Confirm your business requirements for version control before proceeding, and ensure you have Site Owner or administrative permissions if you plan to modify the SharePoint library settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Open Documents Directly from SharePoint Online

Bypass the local OneDrive synchronization restrictions by launching the files directly from the SharePoint web interface into your desktop application.

When SharePoint libraries enforce content approval or draft item security, the OneDrive sync client intentionally restricts local files with a padlock to prevent versioning conflicts. Opening the file directly from the cloud circumvents this limitation.

Navigate to the SharePoint Library

Open your web browser, log in to Microsoft 365, and navigate to the specific SharePoint document library where your files are stored.

Locate the Target Document

Find the document you need to edit. Hover over the document name and click the three-dot menu (Show actions) next to it.

Open in Desktop App

Select 'Open' from the dropdown menu, then click 'Open in Desktop App' (e.g., Open in Word). You may be prompted to allow the site to open links in your desktop application.

Edit and Save

The document will now open with full editing capabilities. Any changes you make and save will sync directly back to SharePoint.

Open Documents Directly from SharePoint Online

Solution 2

Adjust SharePoint Library Versioning and Approval Settings

Modify the library settings to remove content approval and draft visibility restrictions if they are no longer required by your organization.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a padlock icon on my synced SharePoint files in File Explorer?

The padlock icon indicates that the file is locked for local editing. This is a deliberate limitation of the OneDrive sync client triggered by specific SharePoint library settings, such as required content approval, minor versions, or draft item security.

Can I remove the read-only status without changing SharePoint settings?

You cannot remove the read-only status from the locally synced File Explorer copy if the SharePoint restrictions remain active. However, you can bypass this by opening the document directly from SharePoint Online into your desktop Office application.

Does requiring check-out cause SharePoint files to open as read-only?

Yes. If 'Require Check Out' is enabled in the SharePoint library, synced files will open as read-only on your desktop until you explicitly check them out from the SharePoint web interface or via the prompt in the Office app.

Will disabling 'Draft Item Security' fix the sync issue?

Yes, in many cases. The OneDrive sync client cannot synchronize edits if draft item security is set to restrict who can see draft items. Changing it to 'Any user who can read items' usually resolves the padlock issue.

Document & File Issues