Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Word Error: Display or Trusted Document Settings Were Modified

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing recurring notification messages in Microsoft Word stating that display settings or trusted document settings have been modified.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening or working with a Microsoft Word document.
Observed behavior: Word displays a warning or error message indicating that trusted document or display settings have been changed.

Before you start

Ensure you note down the exact wording of the error message and check your current version of Microsoft Word, as troubleshooting steps can vary depending on the exact build.

Solution 1Recommended

Review and Reset Trust Center Settings

Verify your trusted documents and locations in Word's Trust Center to resolve recurring modification warnings.

Microsoft Word uses Trust Center settings to protect your computer from potentially unsafe documents. If these settings are corrupted or flagged improperly, resetting your trusted documents can resolve the recurring error message.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word for Windows. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Access Trust Center

In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Trust Center' in the left pane, and then click the 'Trust Center Settings' button on the right side.

Clear Trusted Documents

Navigate to the 'Trusted Documents' section. Check the option to 'Clear all Trusted Documents' to reset the security settings for previously opened files.

Restart Word

Click 'OK' to save your changes, close Microsoft Word entirely, and reopen your document to see if the message persists.

Provide Exact Details for Further Help: If the message continues after reviewing the Trust Center, document the exact wording of the error and your specific Word version to help pinpoint the root cause.

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Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience

If you are frustrated by recurring trusted document and display setting errors in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly alternative to Microsoft Office without the complicated Trust Center configuration issues.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Word (.docx) files without worrying about complex trusted document settings.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Free and lightweight, avoiding heavy system resource usage and complex settings errors.Familiar tabbed user interface, ensuring a seamless migration from Microsoft Office.Built-in PDF editing tools for easy document conversion and management.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word say my trusted document settings were modified?

This usually happens when an update, a third-party add-in, or a network security policy changes the security configurations in Word's Trust Center, or if a previously trusted document's macro settings were altered.

How do I find out which version of Word I am using?

Open Microsoft Word, go to the 'File' menu, select 'Account' (or 'Help' in older versions), and look for the 'About Word' section to see your exact version and build number.

Will clearing trusted documents delete my actual Word files?

No, clearing trusted documents in the Trust Center only resets the security permissions and prompts Word to re-verify the files the next time you open them. Your actual documents and their contents remain intact.

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