Top 7 Ways to Fix OneNote Read-Only Status

Microsoft OneNote is one of the oldest and feature-rich note-taking apps out there. Unfortunately, even after years of development, the software suffers from random syncing issues, offline error, and read-only status. The latter is highly confusing as it won’t let you make any changes to the note in OneNote. Here are the seven best ways to fix OneNote read-only status on Windows.

OneNote read-only might get triggered due to wrong sharing permissions or changes to Notebook properties. Let’s discuss every possible scenario and troubleshoot the issue for you.

1. Disable Read Only from Notebook Properties

By default, OneNote saves all the notebooks to the OneDrive app on Windows. You can view those notebooks from the File Manager menu.

If you have enabled Read-only for a notebook, it’s time to disable it. With read-only status, you can only open the notebook and can’t make any changes to it.

Step 1: Open File Manager on Windows PC or use the Windows + E keys shortcut.

Step 2: Navigate to OneDrive > OneNote, and you will see all your stored OneNote notebooks in the list.

Step 3: Right-click on the notebook that’s giving you trouble and open Properties.

Step 4: From General > Attributes, disable Read-only and click on OK at the bottom.

Open OneNote and try to access a note on it.

2. Reopen Notebook

This trick has worked wonders for us when we faced OneNote syncing and offline errors on a specific OneNote notebook. You can close a notebook and reopen it from the same location. Here is what you need to do.

Step 1: Open OneNote on Windows 10/11.

Step 2: Click on all notebooks at the top and right-click a notebook that’s showing read-only status.

Step 3: Select Close this Notebook.

Step 4: Go to File > Open and select the notebook location from OneDrive and open it.

Try to open notes from the notebook section and you won’t see the read-only error.

3. Get an Editable Link

OneNote also allows you to share notebooks with others. If you are working with shared notebooks and received a view-only link, you won’t be able to edit the note. It’ll show read-only status.

You need to ask the admin to send a notebook link with editing permission. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open OneNote Notebook that you need to share.

Step 2: Go to File > Share > Get a Sharing Link.

Step 3: Click on Create an edit link and share it with others.

From now on, anyone with access to the link can make changes to the OneNote Notebook. So be careful while sharing it with others.

4. Close OneNote from Other Devices

It’s possible that the same note is open in another device. For instance, if it is open in a Mac and you’re trying to access it on a Windows PC.

In such cases, OneNote will keep showing the read-only status. That means you can open and use a note only on one device at a time.

5. Activate Microsoft 365 Subscription

Are you using the OneNote app that comes with Microsoft 365 subscription? Most laptop OEMs offer 30-days of free trial for Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.

If you are using a free trial, it will expire after 30-days, and the OneNote app will get stuck at read-only status.

You need to purchase the Microsoft 365 pack or opt for the free OneNote app for Windows available from the Microsoft Store.

Download OneNote from Microsoft Store

6. Check OneDrive Storage

Microsoft offers only 5GB of OneDrive storage for free. That might be insufficient for OneNote power users. You can either purchase the additional OneDrive storage from Microsoft or opt for the Microsoft 365 subscription that unlocks all the Office apps and 1TB of OneDrive storage.

7. Update OneNote

If you use the native Windows OneNote app, you’ll need to check for the updates or install the latest version from the Microsoft Store.

An outdated OneNote built on Windows 10/11 might show the read-only status when you try to access a notebook.

Open the Microsoft Store app and go to the Library menu. Click on Get Update, and you will see the new OneNote build, if available.

Install the OneNote update and try editing the notes in it.

Start Editing OneNote Notes

If OneNote pages are still showcasing read-only status, try accessing the same notebook from the OneNote web. Even with rivals like Notion, Apple Notes, and Evernote, OneNote remains our top pick for several reasons.

Issues such as a read-only notebook might spoil the mood for you. The steps above should take of the issue, and you can start editing your notes again.