modify/change a Word document: MS Word creates a new document with a temporary name. Word then closes the old document and deletes it, then renames the new document to the original document name." The url is http://www.samba.org/samba/docs/man/Samba-HOWTO-Collection/AccessControls.html#id2615334 So if the sticky bit is set on the directory containing word files for instance, linux wont be able to delete the file (as required in write operations by MS office) and hence comes with an error. I shall be highly obliged if some one can shed light on this issue. Alternatively I would love to learn about other solutions for the use case mentioned. Thanks in advance Hass.