VBA & Macro Problems

How to Fix Blocked Macros in Word 2016 and Later

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where macros in a digitally signed Word template are blocked despite being stored in the STARTUP folder and marked as a trusted publisher.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows 10
Scenario: Running a digitally signed Word template with macros from the STARTUP folder after a recent Office update.
Observed behavior: Macros are blocked by Microsoft Office security settings even though the file is self-signed, the publisher is trusted, and the location is added to Trusted Locations.

Before you start

Before making changes to your macro settings, verify your exact Office version build by navigating to File > Account > About Word, and ensure you have administrative privileges to modify Trusted Locations.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify and Configure the STARTUP Folder in Word Options

Ensure that Word is actually using the specific STARTUP folder where your macro-enabled template is stored.

Sometimes an Office update can reset file location preferences or create a new default STARTUP path, causing Word to ignore your customized macro templates.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word, click on the File tab in the ribbon, and select Options at the bottom left.

Access Advanced Settings

In the Word Options dialog box, click on Advanced in the left-hand pane and scroll all the way down to the General section.

Verify File Locations

Click the 'File Locations...' button. Check the path listed next to 'Startup'. If it does not match the folder where your template is stored, click Modify to update it to the correct path.

Solution 2

Re-verify Trusted Locations and Digital Certificates

Confirm that the STARTUP folder is properly added to Trusted Locations and the SelfCert signature is still recognized.

Solution 3

Unblock the Template File Properties

Recent Microsoft updates strictly block macros from files originating from the internet or other networks (Mark of the Web).

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2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your macro-enabled Word template or document.
3. Enable Macros: Follow the on-screen prompts to enable macros safely and resume your workflow.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my macros suddenly blocked after an Office update?

Microsoft frequently updates its security policies to block macros from untrusted sources by default (known as the Mark of the Web). Even trusted locations can be affected if registry policies or security settings are reset during a major Office update.

How do I trust a SelfCert.exe signature?

You must add the self-signed certificate to the Trusted Root Certification Authorities store on your local Windows machine. You can do this via the Windows Certificate Manager (certmgr.msc) so that Word recognizes it as a Trusted Publisher.

Does checking 'Unblock' in file properties fix macro issues?

Yes, if the file was downloaded from the internet, an email, or another network, Windows tags it with Mark of the Web. Right-clicking the file, going to Properties, and checking 'Unblock' removes this restriction and often allows the macros to run.

Can I completely disable macro security in Word?

While you can select 'Enable all macros' in the Trust Center Settings, it is highly discouraged. Doing so leaves your computer vulnerable to potentially malicious code embedded in documents.

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