How do I solve the disabling of all Word document functions (save, edit, etc.) by the banner message that leads to 'A potentially dangerous macro has been blocked'

Question

I have tried every option offered on this web page:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/a-potentially-dangerous-macro-has-been-blocked-0952faa0-37e7-4316-b61d-5b5ed6024216

None work. I see many others have had this intrusion with various kinds of documents and the above page has not helped them, either. The fixes have found elsewhere do not apply to me or have not helped me.

Today, I simply opened a blank document on my computer in Word in order to start writing. This is the banner message at the top:

'Security Risk: Microsoft has blocked macros from running because the source of this file is untrusted.'

The source of the file is me, my own self. This macro-blocker is already blocking the functionality of every single new Word document I receive from my clients and every single document I have already edited and saved.

I cannot do my job, which is editing. I need a fix immediately: a set of instructions that an intelligent, but not expert in technology, human being can accomplish quickly.

Answer 1

Hi @Syntactic

Thanks for your back and sharing.

Since the Microsoft Q&A community has a policy that "The question author cannot accept their own answer. They can only accept answers by others.", and according to the scenario introduced here: Answering your own questions on Microsoft Q&A, I would make a brief summary of this thread:

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Issue Symptom:

Even save a blank document, the message bar will show 'Security Risk: Microsoft has blocked macros from running because the source of this file is untrusted.'

Current Status:

Solved via adding the top-level editing folder a 'Trusted Location', and all the client subfiles are covered by that.

Answer 2

Hi @Syntactic

Today, I simply opened a blank document on my computer in Word in order to start writing. This is the banner message at the top:

If even a blank document triggers this message bar, please check the file template.

Is it the original template: Normal.dotm?

If yes, please check its file path, is it C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates?

Then go to Word > File > Options > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Locations. Make sure the template file path is added as a Trusted Location.

You may also check this link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/enable-or-disable-security-alerts-on-the-message-bar-adbf15d9-9195-4498-bdc3-5cb0dfe93852

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