Template Issues

How to Make a Microsoft Project Template Shortcut Create a New File

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 8, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs a Microsoft Project template (.MPT) shortcut to create a new project file instead of opening the original template, especially when users lack write permissions to the source folder.

How to Make a Microsoft Project Template Shortcut Create a New File

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Users launch a Microsoft Project template via a desktop shortcut from a restricted network folder where they only have execute permissions.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Project opens the original MPT file directly and attempts to write temporary cache files to the restricted folder, causing access errors, unlike Word or Excel templates which create new unsaved documents seamlessly.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative access to adjust Windows folder permissions temporarily and verify the exact command-line arguments used in your Microsoft Project desktop shortcut.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Read-Only MPP File as a Workaround

Convert the template to a standard Project file and set it to read-only, forcing users to save a copy to their own directories.

Since Microsoft Project handles templates differently than Word or Excel and often attempts to create temporary cache files in the source directory, using a read-only standard file (.MPP) is the most reliable workaround.

Save the MPT file as an MPP file

Open your original MPT template file in Microsoft Project. Go to 'File' > 'Save As' and choose a location to save it as a standard project file (.MPP).

Enable the Read-only attribute

Navigate to the folder where the new MPP file is saved using Windows File Explorer. Right-click the file and select 'Properties'.

Apply changes

At the bottom of the 'General' tab, check the box next to 'Read-only'. Click 'Apply' and then 'OK'.

Update the shortcut

Right-click the desktop shortcut users are utilizing, select 'Properties', and update the 'Target' field to point to this new read-only MPP file.

Use a Read-Only MPP File as a Workaround

Folder Permissions Limitation: Even with a read-only MPP file, Microsoft Project may still require basic write/modify permissions in the source folder to generate temporary lock files when the application is launched.

Solution 2

Adjust Folder Permissions to Allow Cache Creation

Modify the template folder permissions so Microsoft Project can successfully generate necessary temporary cache files when launched via a shortcut.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Microsoft Word templates behave differently than Project templates?

Word and Excel templates (.dotx, .xltx) are structurally designed to spawn a new, untitled document directly in the application's memory without needing to write to the source folder. Microsoft Project handles data differently and often requires creating a temporary lock or cache file in the exact same directory as the template, leading to permission conflicts in restricted folders.

Can I force a Microsoft Project MPT file to open as a new project via a command-line switch?

Microsoft Project does not reliably support a universal command-line switch to force MPT files to spawn a new document in the same seamless way Word does. Converting the template to a read-only MPP file remains the most standardized workaround for this application.

How do I prevent users from overwriting the original Microsoft Project template?

You can protect the file by right-clicking it in Windows File Explorer, selecting 'Properties', and checking the 'Read-only' attribute. This ensures that when users attempt to save their changes, Microsoft Project will prompt them with a 'Save As' dialog to choose a new filename and destination.

Document & File Issues