How to password protect a MS Word .doc or .docx file using Microsoft Word Library in C#?

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I have been trying this code to password protect a MS Word file.

C#

public static void PasswordProtectDocument(string fileName, string docPassword)
   {
       Application wordAppwordApp = new Application();
       Document doc = null;
       object missing = System.Reflection.Missing.Value;
       object readOnly = false;
       object visible = true;
       object password = docPassword;
       object fileToOpen = fileName;  //fileName is name of file with its full path
       try
       {
           doc = wordApp.Documents.Open(ref fileToOpen, ref missing, ref readOnly, ref missing, ref missing,
                                           ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing,
                                           ref visible, ref visible, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);
           doc.Activate();

           doc.SaveAs(ref fileToOpen, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref password, ref missing, ref missing,
                      ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);
       }
       catch (Exception ex)
       {

       }
       finally
       {
           doc.Close(ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);
           wordApp.Quit(ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);
       }
   }

It is doing also the same but while opening it manually, It is giving this type of dialog box.If we enter the password and click on OK,it is displaying the content.On clicking Cancel,its not displaying anything.But Now the problem is that on clicking Read Only,it is also displaying the content in a read only mode.
This defeats the whole purpose of password protecting a file.So,Instead I want the dialog box not to contain any read only option while opening a password protected MS Word file.

I guess the answer is within the parameters of the Save As or Open function.Kindly help me in completely password protecting a file.

Posted 23-Oct-13 0:24am

geniussanjog

Updated 23-Oct-13 0:36am

codestar007

v2

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Tejas Vaishnav · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-23T01:14:00

Hello friend, here i have shared my method which i used to project my Word file, you can modified that method according to your requirement and resolve your issue.
With the help of this method, i can't open a file without entering the password, even the file is not open in read only mode also.

C#

public override string Protect()
      {
          Application app = new Application();
          Document doc = null;

          object missing = System.Reflection.Missing.Value;
          object readOnly = false;
          object visible = false;
          object _Password = Password;
          object fileToOpen = FileName;
          object enforceStyleLock = false;
          try
          {
              app.Visible = false;
              doc = app.Documents.Open(
                                       ref fileToOpen,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref readOnly,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref _Password,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref visible,
                                       ref visible,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref missing,
                                       ref missing);

              doc.Activate();
              doc.Password = Password;
              doc.Protect(WdProtectionType.wdAllowOnlyReading,
                              ref missing,
                              ref _Password,
                              ref missing,
                              ref enforceStyleLock);
              doc.ReadOnlyRecommended = false;
              doc.SaveAs(ref fileToOpen,
                          ref missing,
                          ref missing,
                          ref _Password,
                          ref missing,
                          ref _Password,
                          ref enforceStyleLock,
                          ref missing,
                          ref missing,
                          ref missing,
                          ref missing,
                          ref missing,
                          ref missing,
                          ref missing,
                          ref missing,
                          ref missing);
              doc.Close(ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);
              app.Quit(ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);
          }
          catch (System.Exception ex)
          {
              if (ex.GetType().FullName != "System.Exception")
              {
                  if (((ExternalException)(ex)).ErrorCode == -2146822880)
                  {
                      throw new Exception("Document is password protected");
                  }
                  else
                  {
                      throw ex;
                  }
              }
              else
              {
                  throw ex;
              }
          }
          finally
          {
              if (doc != null)
                  Marshal.ReleaseComObject(doc);
              if (app != null)
                  Marshal.ReleaseComObject(app);
              GC.Collect();
              GC.WaitForPendingFinalizers();
              GC.Collect();
              GC.WaitForPendingFinalizers();
          }

          return FileName;
      }

try to unprotect like this...

C#

/// <summary>
        /// Set un-protect Word File
        /// </summary>
        /// <returns></returns>
        public override void UnProtect()
        {
            Application app = new Application();
            Document doc = null;

            object missing = System.Reflection.Missing.Value;
            object readOnly = false;
            object visible = true;
            object _Password = Password;
            object fileToOpen = FileName;

            try
            {
                doc = app.Documents.Open(
                                               ref fileToOpen,
                                               ref missing,
                                               ref readOnly,
                                               ref missing,
                                               ref _Password,
                                               ref missing,
                                               ref missing,
                                               ref _Password,
                                               ref missing,
                                               ref missing,
                                               ref missing,
                                               ref visible,
                                               ref visible,
                                               ref missing,
                                               ref missing,
                                               ref missing);
                doc.Activate();
                //doc.Password = passWord;
                doc.Unprotect(ref _Password);
                doc.SaveAs(ref fileToOpen,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref _Password,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing,
                            ref missing);
                doc.Close(ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);
                Marshal.ReleaseComObject(doc);
                Marshal.ReleaseComObject(app);
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                //throw ex;
            }
            finally
            {
                if (doc != null)
                    Marshal.ReleaseComObject(doc);
                Marshal.ReleaseComObject(app);
                GC.Collect();
                GC.WaitForPendingFinalizers();
                GC.Collect();
                GC.WaitForPendingFinalizers();
            }

        }