OneNote is the go-to note-taking app for Windows users. With new updates, it's now feature-rich and has an improved interface. Withal, information technology'southward not error-free. Ofttimes, yous may run across improper syncing in the app, files not opening at all, or files beingness opened as read-only.

You may be seeing read-only condition due to restricted file permissions, only the problem may as well lie with your system. Hither are nine fixes you can implement if you are experiencing this issue for the kickoff time.

1. Disable Read-But in the NoteBook Backdrop

OneNote notebooks are usually editable by default. However, these files are often stored as read-only files, preventing them from being edited.

To make sure read-only condition isn't causing the consequence, go to the location where the OneNote notebook is stored. It is usually the OneDrive folder on your computer unless y'all've inverse the default location.

Right-click on the notebook and go to its Properties. Navigate to the Full general tab and uncheck the Read-but box in the Attributes section. If this box is already unchecked, so it's non the backdrop settings causing the bug; in that location is something else that needs to exist investigated.

Unchecking the Read-only box in OneNote Notebooks Properties

Likely, the sender hasn't shared the editable link with you if yous are having issues with only 1 notebook. You lot tin can enquire the sender to reshare the editable link with you to rule out this event.

To know how to share a document with an editable link, follow these steps:

  1. Open the notebook yous wish to share.
  2. Navigate to the File menu and select Share in the left sidebar.
  3. Navigate to Become a Sharing Link now.
  4. Click on the Create an Edit link.
    Creating an Edit Link to Share Notebook to Others in OneNote

If the link was simply viewable previously, accessing a certificate with an editable link might solve the problem. If it does not, follow the rest of the fixes.

iii. Check Your OneNote Subscription

If y'all apply a Microsoft 365 subscription, ensure that it hasn't expired. If you do not renew the subscription after it expires, you'll start seeing restrictions. Accessing documents in read-just mode is one of them.

Yous can refer to this Microsoft document for more information about what will happen after your Microsoft 365 business subscription ends.

You won't have to worry nigh this step if you opt for the Microsoft OneNote gratis app and properly sync your data. Don't bother with this fix if it doesn't use to you.

four. Don't Apply Aforementioned OneNote Business relationship at Multiple Places Simultaneously

Furthermore, using OneNote in multiple places at the same fourth dimension poses a host of bug. For case, if you shift from the OneNote web to the OneNote app while keeping the page open, OneNote may show the read-merely view of that folio.

In addition, it may interfere with the app's syncing. To avoid facing such issues, always employ OneNote in a single place and properly close it while shifting to another.

5. Repair and Update OneNote

The trouble may persist fifty-fifty after applying the above fixes. In this case, updating and repairing OneNote may assistance. To update OneNote, click on your icon right next to your logged-in email in OneNote and tap on Role user info.

Go to the Production Data settings on the right-sidebar and tap on Update Options to open the driblet-downward menu of Office Updates. Click on Update Now, and your OneNote volition be instantly updated.

Updating OneNote App in OneNote

If updating OneNote doesn't resolve the outcome, y'all can as well endeavour repairing the plan. To do so, become to the Windows settings app and head over to the Apps section. Then, navigate to the Apps and Features on the left sidebar and type OneNote into the search box. Tap on Advanced options and curlicue down to Repair at the bottom of the page.

Advanced options Settings to Reset OneNote in Windows Settings App

six. Clear OneNote's Cache

OneNote stores information in its cache to streamline processing. There are rare instances when not clearing enshroud from your system over time tin cause file readability issues. When this happens, you may non be able to open a file, or you can't edit it.

To clear the OneNote cache, get to the OneNote cache binder on your system. Unless you've modified OneNote'southward install path, it'll exist located at Users > [your username] > App Data > Local > Microsoft > OneNote.

To cheque the modified enshroud file location, go to the File carte du jour in OneNote and head over to Options, located at the bottom left. Navigate to Save and Backup and re-create the full path to the Cache file location.

Copying the Cache File Location From OneNote

Paste the path in File Explorer, and you will see a folder named xvi.0 (or something else, depending on the version of OneNote you are using). Delete all data from the Cache folder.

7. Change Your User Business relationship

App updates and repairs resolve your app's processing problems, but the problem may likewise exist related to your OneNote business relationship. If you are unsure, effort opening the aforementioned notebook with a different account. If it works ideally, then alter your user business relationship.

viii. Articulate OneDrive's Storage Space

For OneNote power users, 5GB of storage is bereft to handle the corporeality of work they exercise. Ensure the OneDrive account where your OneNote data is stored has enough space to handle new information.

With a total OneDrive storage space, OneNote may experience the same foreign issues you encounter on your phone with low storage space. If you lot want more than out of OneDrive, purchase a premium subscription.

9. Update or Downgrade Windows

If your Windows is outdated, you lot can update it to see if that fixes the problem. Also, yous tin revert to a previous version if the issues started later on an update.

You tin update Windows by going to the Windows settings and selecting Update and Security on the left sidebar. Click on Bank check for Updates, and Windows volition update your Bone.

On the other hand, you can roll back the update, but yous should just do this if you're confident it won't affect your computer's performance. Furthermore, using an outdated version compromises your security, and so be aware of the risks.

Open OneNote and Go Back to Piece of work

If OneNote is keeping you from editing your files, it can exist downward to one of many different causes. Hopefully, by now, yous've discovered i that works for you lot.

Did yous know there are ways to speed up your OneNote? You lot can disable graphics acceleration, reduce background activeness, and avert embedding large files to help OneNote keep up with the stride.

6 Ways to Speed Upwardly Microsoft OneNote

Is OneNote taking its sweet fourth dimension to get anything washed? Here are some tweaks y'all can make to speed up Microsoft OneNote.

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About The Writer

Shan Abdul (156 Manufactures Published)

Shan Abdul is an applied science graduate. After completing his graduation and MS, he has started his career equally a freelance writer. He writes about using different tools and software to help people to be more productive every bit a educatee or professional. In his spare time, he loves to sentry Youtube videos on productivity.

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