OneNote is the go-to notation-taking app for Windows users. With new updates, it's now feature-rich and has an improved interface. However, information technology'south not error-free. Frequently, y'all may encounter improper syncing in the app, files not opening at all, or files existence opened as read-only.

Y'all may be seeing read-merely status due to restricted file permissions, but the problem may likewise lie with your system. Here are nine fixes y'all tin can implement if y'all are experiencing this issue for the kickoff time.

i. Disable Read-Only in the NoteBook Backdrop

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

To make sure read-only condition isn't causing the effect, go to the location where the OneNote notebook is stored. Information technology is commonly the OneDrive binder on your estimator unless you lot've changed the default location.

Right-click on the notebook and go to its Properties. Navigate to the General tab and uncheck the Read-only box in the Attributes section. If this box is already unchecked, then it's not the properties settings causing the issues; there is something else that needs to be investigated.

Unchecking the Read-only box in OneNote Notebooks Properties

Likely, the sender hasn't shared the editable link with you if you lot are having issues with only one notebook. You can ask the sender to reshare the editable link with you to rule out this issue.

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

  1. Open up the notebook yous wish to share.
  2. Navigate to the File menu and select Share in the left sidebar.
  3. Navigate to Get 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 only viewable previously, accessing a document with an editable link might solve the problem. If it does not, follow the rest of the fixes.

iii. Cheque Your OneNote Subscription

If you use a Microsoft 365 subscription, ensure that it hasn't expired. If yous do not renew the subscription afterward it expires, you'll start seeing restrictions. Accessing documents in read-only mode is one of them.

You tin refer to this Microsoft certificate for more than information almost what will happen later on your Microsoft 365 business subscription ends.

Y'all won't have to worry nearly this step if you opt for the Microsoft OneNote free app and properly sync your information. Don't bother with this fix if it doesn't apply to you.

4. Don't Use Same OneNote Account at Multiple Places Simultaneously

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

In addition, it may interfere with the app's syncing. To avoid facing such issues, always use OneNote in a unmarried identify and properly close it while shifting to some other.

v. Repair and Update OneNote

The problem may persist even after applying the higher up fixes. In this case, updating and repairing OneNote may assist. To update OneNote, click on your icon right next to your logged-in email in OneNote and tap on Office user info.

Become to the Product Information settings on the right-sidebar and tap on Update Options to open the drib-downwardly card of Office Updates. Click on Update Now, and your OneNote will exist instantly updated.

Updating OneNote App in OneNote

If updating OneNote doesn't resolve the event, you can also try repairing the program. To exercise so, go to the Windows settings app and head over to the Apps section. Then, navigate to the Apps and Features on the left sidebar and blazon OneNote into the search box. Tap on Avant-garde options and curl down to Repair at the bottom of the page.

Advanced options Settings to Reset OneNote in Windows Settings App

6. Articulate OneNote'southward Enshroud

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

To articulate the OneNote cache, go to the OneNote cache binder on your system. Unless yous've modified OneNote's install path, it'll exist located at Users > [your username] > App Data > Local > Microsoft > OneNote.

To cheque the modified cache file location, go to the File card in OneNote and head over to Options, located at the bottom left. Navigate to Save and Backup and copy the full path to the Enshroud file location.

Copying the Cache File Location From OneNote

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

7. Change Your User Account

App updates and repairs resolve your app'due south processing bug, merely the problem may likewise be related to your OneNote account. If you are unsure, endeavor opening the same notebook with a different account. If it works ideally, then change your user business relationship.

8. Clear OneDrive's Storage Space

For OneNote power users, 5GB of storage is bereft to handle the amount of work they do. Ensure the OneDrive business relationship where your OneNote data is stored has plenty space to handle new information.

With a full OneDrive storage infinite, OneNote may experience the same foreign problems you run into on your telephone with low storage space. If yous want more than out of OneDrive, purchase a premium subscription.

9. Update or Downgrade Windows

If your Windows is outdated, you can update it to see if that fixes the problem. Also, you can revert to a previous version if the problems started after an update.

You lot can update Windows by going to the Windows settings and selecting Update and Security on the left sidebar. Click on Check for Updates, and Windows will update your Os.

On the other hand, y'all can whorl dorsum the update, but you should only practise this if you're confident it won't bear on your computer's performance. Furthermore, using an outdated version compromises your security, and so be aware of the risks.

Open up OneNote and Get Back to Work

If OneNote is keeping y'all from editing your files, it can exist down to one of many different causes. Hopefully, by at present, you lot've discovered ane that works for you lot.

Did you know in that location are ways to speed upwards your OneNote? Yous tin can disable graphics acceleration, reduce groundwork action, and avoid embedding large files to help OneNote keep upwards with the stride.

6 Ways to Speed Up Microsoft OneNote

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About The Author

Shan Abdul (152 Manufactures Published)

Shan Abdul is an engineering science graduate. After completing his graduation and MS, he has started his career equally a freelance writer. He writes well-nigh using unlike tools and software to help people to be more than productive as a educatee or professional. In his spare fourth dimension, he loves to watch Youtube videos on productivity.

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