'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Stop Repeated Connected Experiences Prompts in Word for Mac
Question details
Users are experiencing persistent Connected Experiences pop-ups in Microsoft Word for Mac that continually interrupt work, even when the relevant privacy settings are already disabled.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Opening documents or editing tracked changes after a recent Office update (such as version 16.76).
- Observed behavior
- The Connected Experiences wizard continuously appears, sometimes resetting the Office account and requesting an application restart. Restarting the software fails to resolve the loop.
Ensure you have saved all your open documents and have your Microsoft account credentials ready, as you may need to sign back in after updating or restarting the application.
Update Office and Verify Privacy Settings
Since this is a known bug in certain versions of Word for Mac, applying the latest patches and verifying your privacy configuration is the primary method to resolve the loop.
This persistent prompt is typically caused by a bug introduced in specific Office for Mac updates (like version 16.76). The application fails to register that you have already opted out of Connected Experiences. Microsoft regularly releases patches to address these issues.
Open Microsoft Word, go to the 'Help' menu in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'. Install any available updates for Office for Mac.
Navigate to 'Word' > 'Preferences' > 'Privacy'. Review the options and ensure that the settings for Connected Experiences are explicitly disabled.
Quit Microsoft Word completely (Command + Q) and reopen the application to check if the prompt still appears when opening a document or editing tracked changes.
If the prompts continue after updating, collect your Office version details and diagnostic logs, then contact Microsoft Support. This may require an upcoming product fix directly from Microsoft.
Switch to WPS Office for a Distraction-Free Experience
If recurring Connected Experiences prompts in Word for Mac are disrupting your workflow and you are waiting on a bug fix, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and seamless word processing experience without intrusive pop-ups.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for Mac.
- 2. Install the application: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your Mac.
- 3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files to continue editing your tracked changes without interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Connected Experiences prompt keep appearing in Word for Mac?
This is often caused by a software bug introduced in certain Office updates (such as version 16.76). The bug causes the application to ignore your saved privacy preferences, triggering the prompt repeatedly.
Can I disable Connected Experiences completely?
Yes, you can normally disable them by navigating to Word > Preferences > Privacy and turning off the Connected Experiences options. However, if your application is affected by the update bug, the prompt may still appear until you install a patched version.
Does this prompt bug affect other Microsoft Office applications?
While primarily reported by users in Microsoft Word for Mac (especially when editing tracked changes), similar privacy prompt loops can occasionally occur in Excel or PowerPoint after installing buggy software updates.
Will reinstalling Word for Mac fix the repeated prompts?
Reinstalling the exact same version will likely not fix the issue if it is a version-specific bug. Your best option is to use the Help > Check for Updates tool to install a newer patched release, or reach out to Microsoft Support.
