Turning off Protected View in Word can be helpful if you frequently open documents from outside sources and want to streamline your workflow. By disabling this feature, you’ll be able to edit these documents without seeing that pesky yellow bar every time. However, turning it off makes your computer more vulnerable to potentially malicious files, so proceed with caution.
How to Turn Off Protected View in Word
In this section, you’ll learn how to turn off Protected View in Microsoft Word step-by-step. This will let you open and edit documents without the extra security warning every time.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word
First, launch Microsoft Word on your computer.
Make sure the program is fully loaded before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Go to File Menu
Click on the "File" tab located in the top-left corner of the window.
This will open a new menu with various options, including Info, New, Open, Save, and more.
Step 3: Select Options
From the File menu, scroll down and click on "Options."
A new Word Options dialog box will appear, giving you access to various settings you can customize.
Step 4: Access Trust Center
In the Word Options dialog box, navigate to the "Trust Center" tab on the left-hand side.
This section includes settings related to document security and privacy.
Step 5: Open Trust Center Settings
Click on the "Trust Center Settings" button.
A new Trust Center dialog box will open, where you can adjust security settings.
Step 6: Navigate to Protected View
Within the Trust Center dialog box, click on the "Protected View" tab on the left.
Here, you’ll see three checkboxes that control when Protected View is enabled.
Step 7: Disable Protected View
Uncheck the boxes next to the options for enabling Protected View.
Once unchecked, click "OK" to save your changes and close the dialog boxes.
After you’ve completed these steps, Word will no longer open documents in Protected View, allowing you to edit them immediately.
Tips on Turning Off Protected View in Word
- Make sure you have a reliable antivirus program, as disabling Protected View increases your exposure to potentially harmful files.
- Only disable Protected View if you routinely open documents from trusted sources.
- You can selectively disable Protected View for specific types of documents.
- If you frequently open documents from the internet, consider leaving Protected View enabled for those files.
- Always double-check the source of any document before opening it, especially if Protected View is turned off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Protected View in Word?
Protected View is a read-only mode where most editing functions are disabled. This is designed to protect your computer from potentially unsafe documents.
Why would I want to turn off Protected View?
Turning off Protected View can save time if you regularly open documents from trusted sources and need to edit them immediately.
Is it safe to disable Protected View?
Disabling Protected View makes your computer more vulnerable to potentially malicious files, so it’s safer only to disable it for trusted documents.
Can I turn Protected View back on?
Yes, you can re-enable Protected View by following the same steps and re-checking the boxes in Trust Center settings.
Does turning off Protected View affect other Office programs?
No, the changes you make to Protected View in Word will not affect other Office programs like Excel or PowerPoint.
Summary
- Open Microsoft Word.
- Go to the File Menu.
- Select Options.
- Access Trust Center.
- Open Trust Center Settings.
- Navigate to Protected View.
- Disable Protected View.
Conclusion
Turning off Protected View in Word can streamline your work, especially if you frequently handle documents from trusted sources. However, always remember that Protected View is there for a reason—to safeguard your computer against potentially harmful files. So, weigh the benefits and risks carefully before deciding to disable it.
If you do decide to turn off Protected View, make it a point to use a reliable antivirus program and stay vigilant about the sources of your documents. You can always turn the feature back on if you find that it’s too risky to leave it disabled.
For more tips on optimizing your Microsoft Word experience, be sure to check out other articles and guides. Happy editing!
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.