How to disable protected view in Excel?
When you download or copy an Excel workbook from the Internet or any other locations that are considered potentially unsafe, Microsoft Excel automatically opens the file in Protected View. This security feature is designed to help protect your computer by limiting editing when the source of the file is untrusted. However, although Protected View is intended to enhance your file safety, it can also be a source of inconvenience—especially when you need to edit or analyze trusted files quickly and find yourself repeatedly clicking to enable editing. If you frequently work with files from such sources and would like to save time and effort, you might want to modify or disable this feature. Below, you’ll find several practical methods to exit or turn off Protected View in Excel, along with explanations on when each method is most suitable and tips to use these methods effectively.
Click Enable Content button to disable protected view
Set the Option to disable protected view
Alternative: Move file to a trusted location to avoid Protected View
Click Enable Content button to disable protected view
When you open an Excel file that has been downloaded from the Internet, an email attachment, or another unfamiliar location, you will typically see a Security Warning message bar located just above the formula bar. This bar indicates that the file is currently in Protected View and editing functions are restricted.
To quickly exit Protected View and start editing the file, simply click the Enable Content button on the yellow warning bar. Once you click this button, Excel will allow you to edit the contents of the file as usual, and the protected mode will be disabled for that session.
Note: As an alternative, especially if the warning bar is not visible or you wish to review additional security options, you can navigate to File > Info > Enable Content, and select Enable All Content. Doing this not only removes the current Protected View session but also designates the file as trusted in this instance, allowing full access. See screenshot:
This approach is convenient for one-off files or documents from sources you recognize and trust. However, keep in mind that using this method only affects the currently opened file; other files from untrusted locations will still open in Protected View in the future. For consistent access without these prompts, consider changing Protected View settings permanently as explained below.
Set the Option to disable protected view
If you regularly work with files from external sources and constantly encounter Protected View, you can adjust Excel's settings to disable it permanently. By modifying these options, Excel will stop automatically opening files in Protected View, streamlining your workflow. This solution is most suitable when you are confident about the safety and origin of the files you commonly open. That said, disabling Protected View entirely will reduce security, so only apply these changes if you are confident that your files are safe and your computer is well protected by up-to-date antivirus programs.
1. Open Excel and click on File (or the Office button in earlier versions) to access the backstage view, then select Options. See screenshot:
2. In the Excel Options dialog box, select Trust Center from the left-hand menu, then click the Trust Center Settings button on the right. See screenshot:
3. In the Trust Center dialog, select Protected View from the menu on the left. Here you will see several checkboxes related to opening files from various sources (such as files originating from the Internet, email attachments, or potentially unsafe locations). Uncheck those options according to your preference. For maximum editing convenience, you can uncheck all the boxes, but for increased security, consider keeping some checked based on which file sources you trust less. See screenshot:
4. Click OK in both dialogs to save your changes and close the settings windows. Subsequently, Excel will no longer open files from untrusted sources in Protected View, making file access more seamless.
Note: For users of newer Excel versions, always be cautious when choosing to disable Protected View permanently. Make sure to only open files from trustworthy sources to avoid potential risks.
Tip: If you encounter Protected View issues even after changing settings, try restarting Excel, as some changes may not take effect until the application is restarted. If files continue to open in Protected View, double-check that all relevant checkboxes in the Protected View menu are disabled and confirm that your organization’s IT policies do not enforce additional restrictions.
Disabling Protected View is best used in safe environments or when collaborating with trusted colleagues. If you work in a corporate network, consult your IT administrator before making permanent changes to security settings.
Alternative: Move file to a trusted location to avoid Protected View
Another practical way to bypass Protected View without completely disabling global security settings is to move frequently used files or folders to a designated Trusted Location in Excel. Files stored in trusted locations will open directly for editing, regardless of their original source. This is especially useful if you regularly work with updates from a shared network folder or another location you know is secure.
To add a trusted location:
- Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Locations.
- Click Add new location, then browse to select your folder.
- Click OK to save the location, and move your files there before opening them in Excel.
This approach keeps Excel’s security settings mostly intact while streamlining your work with trusted sources. Remember not to set public or temporary folders as trusted locations to avoid security risks.
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