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Encrypted Excel fine 'corrupted'

Anonymous
2022-06-13T10:11:49+00:00

All my encrypted Excel files will not open because they are 'corrupted', I have created a 'test' file with simple text content and even that is 'corrupted'. I have some very important files I cannot gain access to. I am using the latest 365 (monthly subscription).

Can anyone help?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2022-06-15T19:09:57+00:00

thank you! shutting off malwarebytes excel 4.0 protection solved the problem!!!

i'm repeating the steps for doing this for clarity:

security

scroll to bottom, exploit protection, advanced settings

application behavior protection

scroll to bottom, uncheck excel macro 4.0 abuse prevention

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Anonymous
2022-06-13T11:18:07+00:00

Hi, I'm Elise, and I'd be happy to help with your issue.

I would suggest running an office repair to resolve your issue, please see this article for full instructions: https://support.microsoft.com/office/7821d4b6-7...

Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Kind Regards,

Elise

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7 additional answers

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  1. lmacri 2,500 Reputation points
    2022-06-13T13:26:26+00:00

    Hi MC&SC:

    Do you have Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.9.198-1.0.1699 (released 09-Jun-2022) installed on your computer?

    If so, see Adam2022's 10-Jun-2020 Excel Macro 4.0 Abuse Protection Prevents Opening Password Protected Files in the Malwarebytes for Windows board. Malwarebytes has acknowledged that there is a bug in their Exploit Protection module and recommends that users DISABLE the Excel Macro 4.0 Abuse Prevention protection technique in Malwarebytes (Settings | Security | Exploit Protection | Advanced Settings | Application Behavior Protection | MS Office column | Excel Macro 4.0 Abuse Prevention) until a fix is released.

    Note that users are also reporting that some of their Excel workbooks that are not password protected will only open in read-only mode. Disabling this same Excel Macro 4.0 Abuse Prevention protection technique in Malwarebytes should also solve this problem.

    Image


    Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v21H2 build 19044.1706 * Firefox v101.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2203.5-1.1.19200.6 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.9.198-1.0.1699 * MS Office 2019 Home and Business Version 2205 (Build 15225.20204 Click-to-Run)

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-06-15T07:28:10+00:00

    I followed the advice of EliseM_456 and ran Repair, and then reinstalled 365 and all is well ... at the moment.

    Given that all is currently well do you still recommend removing the Excel Macro abuse prevention?

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-06-14T20:35:33+00:00

    Thank you! That solved my problem.

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