Excel 2016 Requires Entering password twice on a password protected workbook - from Windows 10 taskbar shortcut

Question

I have already read and tried some of the solutions for this same problem with Excel 2007/2010, but they do not fix the problem.

If I Open a New Excel 2016 Workbook, and type a few things in some of the cells, then click on the 'File' tab, then 'Protect Workbook' and choose "Encrypt with Password" option, then enter a password.  The next time I try to open the file it requires me to enter the password twice.

Note: The Preview Pane is not enabled in the File Explorer when I double-click on the file.

It seems like this problem/issue has been going on over several versions of Excel, there must be a solution or Microsoft should be aware of the problem and have issued a fix by now, shouldn't they have?

If I open a blank Excel Workbook first, then 'File' and 'Open' (or choose from 'Recent' opened files) it will only require me to enter my password once.

Windows 10 taskbar 'Recent' list (When I right-click on the Excel icon on the task bar), lists two shortcuts to my file (TestOpen.xlsx and TestOpen - without an extension).  This is where I usually go to open my file that was recently opened or Pinned there, and then it will require me to enter my Excel Workbook password twice.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

Let us try installing all the pending Office update and check if it work as expected.  Installing any important, recommended, and optional updates can frequently correct problems by replacing out-of-date files and fixing vulnerabilities. Please refer to the information mentioned in following Microsoft article to update Office application.

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Update-Office-and-your-computer-with-Microsoft-Update-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5

If issue persist, you may try repairing Office suite using the following link and check if Excel work as expected.

https://support.office.com/en-US/Article/Repair-an-Office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b

I hope the above information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Please provide more information before we proceed.

Does this issue occurs in all password protected Excel file or is it specific to particular Excel file?

I suggest you try creating the new Excel file, password protect it and save it to Desktop. Once saved, double click on the Excel file and check if it ask password once only. This is to verify if issue is related to particular Excel file or is it related to Excel application itself.

Please post back with the information asked for further assistance.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Yes, it applies to all password protected Excel files.

I just did as you asked, created a new file, saved it to the Desktop, and when I double click on the file saved on the desktop, it asks for the password, opens the file, then asks for the password again, then opens the file.  When it is finished opening, I only have 1 excel file open.

Answer 4

I tried installing the Microsoft update, but that didn't seem to fix the issue.

But then, I tried repairing the Office suite as instructed above, and this did fix the problem I was having.

It is now only asking me to enter the password a single time.

Thank you!