Office Settings & Configuration

How to Enable Online Content in Microsoft 365 Privacy Settings

Emma Brown Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are unable to search for or insert online content in Word and Excel because connected experiences are disabled.

How to Enable Online Content in Microsoft 365 Privacy Settings

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Trying to search for, download, or insert online content such as templates and images within Microsoft Word or Excel.
Observed behavior: The online content features are blocked or unavailable because 'Experiences that analyze your content' and 'Experiences that download online content' are disabled in the privacy settings.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged in with a Windows administrator account and verify that your organization's IT department does not restrict your Microsoft 365 privacy settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable All Connected Experiences in Office Privacy Settings

Turn on connected experiences to allow Office applications to access cloud-based services and download online content.

Microsoft 365 requires explicit permission to access the internet to download templates, images, and other online assets. Enabling 'All connected experiences' automatically restores access to these features.

Open Office Account settings

Launch any Microsoft Office application, such as Word or Excel. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and then select 'Account' from the menu on the bottom left.

Access Privacy Settings

Under the 'Account Privacy' section on the right side of the screen, click on the 'Manage Settings' button.

Enable Connected Experiences

Scroll down the privacy settings window until you find the 'All connected experiences' section. Check the box to enable it, which will also activate 'Experiences that analyze your content' and 'Experiences that download online content'.

Restart Office applications

Click 'OK' to save your changes. Close all open Microsoft Office applications and restart them for the new privacy settings to take effect.

Enable All Connected Experiences in Office Privacy Settings

Managed by Organization: If the 'Manage Settings' button or the connected experiences checkboxes are grayed out, your Microsoft 365 settings are managed by your organization. You will need to contact your IT administrator to adjust these policies.

Solution 2

Test with a New Local Windows Administrator Account

Create a new local administrator account to rule out issues caused by a corrupted Windows user profile or improper permissions.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Hassle-Free Access to Rich Online Content

If organizational policies or privacy setting errors in Microsoft 365 consistently block you from accessing online templates and features, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight alternative. Enjoy instant access to a massive library of built-in templates and online assets without battling complex configuration menus.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the suite on your computer.
3. Access online content instantly: Launch WPS Writer, Spreadsheet, or Presentation and click on the 'Templates' tab to immediately browse and insert rich online content.

Completely free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft 365Highly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) file formatsDirect, restriction-free access to thousands of high-quality online templates and design resourcesFamiliar tabbed interface ensuring a seamless migration with zero learning curve

Frequently Asked Questions

What are connected experiences in Microsoft 365?

Connected experiences are cloud-based services in Office that analyze your content (like Editor or Translator) or download online content (like templates, fonts, and stock images) to enhance your productivity.

Why is the option to enable connected experiences grayed out?

This usually happens when you are using a work or school account and your organization's IT department has disabled user access to privacy settings via Group Policy. You must contact your administrator to make changes.

Will disabling online content prevent me from using Word and Excel?

No. Core offline features of Word and Excel will remain fully functional. However, you will not be able to search for online templates, insert online pictures, or use cloud-backed tools like the Microsoft Editor.

Why do I need administrator privileges to change Office privacy settings?

While standard users can often change their personal privacy settings, system-wide configuration issues or corrupted user profiles can lock these options. Using an administrator account helps bypass local permission restrictions.

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