How to Fix Password-Protected PowerPoint Greyed-Out Issue?
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Why Does Password-Protected PowerPoint Become Greyed-Out?
PPT files always save important business plans, personal information, etc. PowerPoint users lock them with password because they want to stop unauthorized access to their content. Let’s learn more reasons to check why your password-protected PowerPoint is greyed out.
- PPT file saved in Read-only mode also appears as greyed-out presentation file.
- Locking PowerPoint file prevents changes; nevertheless, it remains unchanged unless you unlock PPT with correct password.
- Presentations received from any other person also show greyed-out options.
- Damaged & OPD PPT files also cause certain tools, menus, & editing functions to become greyed out.
- Office activation & licensing issues also make PowerPoint PPT greyed out.
- If you are opening password-protected PowerPoint file in Compatibility Mode, then it also shows greyed-out features.
In this situation, if you are trying to change PowerPoint settings, it won’t solve problem. So, let’s check simple solutions that help users to disable greyed-out features in PowerPoint.
How to Resolve “Password-Protected PowerPoint Greyed-Out” Issue?
There are multiple methods users can use & fix locked PowerPoint greyed-out issue. Check below & choose any method that fits your requirements.
Fix 1: Use Desktop PowerPoint
- Open PowerPoint presentation.
- Unlock with correct password.
- Go to File >> click Info.
- Now select Protect Presentation.
- Select Encrypt with Password option.
- Remove password from box.
- Click OK & save file.
Tip: If your PowerPoint presentation is encrypted with password, then it will remain greyed out until you add password to unlock PowerPoint PPT. Users can follow above-mentioned steps to decrypt PowerPoint presentation file.
Fix 2: Exit Protected View from Presentation
If you get PowerPoint PPT file from someone else, then you need to check if the PowerPoint is opened in Protected View. The error shows in yellow bar that says “Protected View.” If you click “Enable Editing,” then you can resume editing. If you want to permanently disable Protected View in PowerPoint, then check this easy step-by-step guide.
- Open presentation in PowerPoint.
- Go to File Options & click Trust Center.
- Once there, tap on Trust Center Settings >> Protected View.
- Uncheck the ” Safely” option to make PPT unprotected.
Fix 3: Save Presentation as PPTX
If your current PowerPoint file is saved in PPT, PPTM, or ODP format then you need to converted them in PPTX format. Sometimes, PowerPoint format creates presentation that appears greyed out. If you are worried about content privacy then this use this steps to change PowerPoint format on your computer without uploading it on pubic server.
- Open presentation in PowerPoint.
- Click File option & select Save As option.
- Select location & choose Save as type.
- Pick PowerPoint Presentation (*.pptx).
- Enter file name & click Save.
See, it’s simple. Users don’t need to upload file to any public server to change format. Once change, open PPTX file which also remove greyed-out option. One more thing: changing format didn’t remove password protection. Users need to enter correct password to unlock PPT file.
Fix 4: Activate or Repair Microsoft Office
Sometimes, PowerPoint also shows as greyed out because Microsoft Office wasn’t activated properly or is just damaged. So check these steps to fix Microsoft Office & unlock greyed-out password protection in PowerPoint.
Activate Office
- Open PowerPoint again.
- Click File & go to Account.
- Look under Product Information.
- If you see Product Activated, then your Office is activated.
- By any chance, if you see Activation Required pop-up, then you need to sign in with Microsoft account.
Steps to Repair Office on Windows
- Close PowerPoint properly.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Now go to Apps & click Installed apps.
- Search for Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office.
- Click three dots next to it.
- Choose Modify & pick Quick Repair.
- If problem shows again, then repeat the process.
Bonus Solution: Fix Locked & Grayed-Out PowerPoint Files
If you still see your file as greyed out, then you can check this solution, which helps you unprotect a PowerPoint file immediately. Download BitRecover Office Password Remover Tool, which directly removes passwords from PPT or PPTX presentations. Once you unprotect PowerPoint presentation they also disables greyed-out issue. This tool have many feature which make password removing process simple.
In Nutshell
This “password-protected PowerPoint Greyed-Out” issue looks complicated to solve. But now users can solve this issue within minutes with easy troubleshooting tips. This blog provides five tricks to disable greyed-out in PowerPoint. If your presentation is encrypted, then you need correct password to remove greyed-out issue. Most importantly, do not confuse greyed-out protection option with lost password. If you receive password from another person and it’s encrypted with password, then ask for password to unlock PowerPoint file. Don’t try to bypass protection itself.
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