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Fix Office 2021 Slow to Open Files from Synology NAS
Question details
User experiences a 20 to 60-second delay when opening Word or Excel files for the first time from a mapped Synology NAS network drive.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 2021
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening Office documents stored on a Synology NAS mapped network drive.
- Observed behavior
- Files take up to one minute to open, even after reinstalling Office, disabling add-ins, and running the application in Safe Mode.
Ensure your Synology NAS is fully connected to your network, your mapped drive is accessible in Windows File Explorer, and your local network connection is stable before modifying Office settings.
Disable Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) in Excel
Adjusting the DDE setting in Excel often resolves severe delays when opening files from network drives.
Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) is an older protocol that allows applications to communicate. When opening files from a remote NAS, Excel may wait on DDE requests to time out, causing significant launch delays.
Launch Excel, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Excel Options window, click on the 'Advanced' tab on the left sidebar.
Scroll down to the 'General' section, check the box labeled 'Ignore other applications that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)', and click 'OK' to save your changes.
Update Printer Drivers and Check Network Activity
Outdated printer drivers or background network polling issues can bottleneck Office when it attempts to access remote files.
Try WPS Office for Fast Network File Access
If Microsoft Office continues to struggle with slow load times from your NAS, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly optimized, lightweight alternative that opens remote and local files instantly while maintaining full compatibility with your existing Word and Excel documents.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer, and complete the rapid installation process.
- 2. Access Your NAS Drive: Open WPS Office, click 'Open', and navigate to your mapped Synology NAS drive in the file explorer.
- 3. Open Files Instantly: Select any DOCX or XLSX file on your network drive to experience fast loading times without DDE network bottlenecks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Office 2021 take so long to open files from a network drive?
This can happen due to Office attempting to communicate with other applications using DDE, waiting on network printer polling, or experiencing antivirus scanning delays on remote files.
What is Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) in Excel?
DDE is a legacy Windows protocol used to allow applications to exchange data. If Excel waits for a DDE request to resolve over a network connection, it can cause the application to appear frozen or slow.
Will disabling DDE affect my Excel formulas?
No, checking 'Ignore other applications that use DDE' does not break standard formulas or spreadsheet links, but it prevents external programs from sending certain automatic commands to Excel.
Does this issue only happen with Synology NAS devices?
No, slow loading times related to DDE settings or printer driver checks can occur with any mapped network drive, server, or NAS brand when using Microsoft Office.
