How to Stop Word Personal Information Setting Prompts
Question details
Users are experiencing repeated prompts regarding the 'Remove personal information' setting in Microsoft Word, which persist even after being closed.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing or opening shared online documents or local files in Microsoft Word.
- Observed behavior
- Word repeatedly displays a notification message about removing personal information from documents, which cannot be permanently dismissed by the user.
Verify whether the affected document is stored locally on your computer's hard drive or shared via an online cloud service like OneDrive or SharePoint.
Verify Document Location and Disable the Privacy Setting
Determine if the issue is tied to shared online files and adjust the Trust Center settings to stop the prompt.
The personal information prompt often triggers due to a specific privacy setting in the Trust Center. Disabling this setting for the current document usually resolves the recurring notification.
Save a copy of your document locally to your computer to see if the prompt only occurs with shared online documents.
Open the affected document in Word, click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
Navigate to the 'Trust Center' tab in the left pane and click the 'Trust Center Settings' button.
Select 'Privacy Options' from the left side, uncheck the box for 'Remove personal information from file properties on save', and click 'OK' to save your changes.
Report the Defect to Microsoft Support
If the prompt persists despite changing settings, it may be a known software defect that needs to be escalated to Microsoft.
Switch to WPS Office for a Bug-Free Experience
If persistent Word prompts and software defects are interrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, distraction-free environment with high compatibility for all your Word documents.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Application: Run the setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install WPS Office on your device.
- 3. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document to continue editing without intrusive notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word repeatedly ask to remove personal information?
This is typically caused by the 'Remove personal information from file properties on save' setting being enabled in the Trust Center. It can also be triggered by a known Microsoft Office software defect related to shared online documents.
Will disabling the privacy setting expose my personal data?
Disabling this setting means that metadata—such as the author's name, last saved by, and editing time—will remain in the document's file properties. If you share the file publicly, others will be able to view this metadata.
Does this issue only happen with cloud-based documents?
While many users report this issue primarily with shared online documents on services like OneDrive or SharePoint, software bugs can cause the prompt to occur with locally stored files as well.
