How to Stop Word Security Notices for Linked Images
Question details
Users receive a recurring security notice when opening Word documents containing linked images stored on shared servers.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening and viewing documents that contain external linked images hosted on a shared network drive.
- Observed behavior
- Word displays a security warning prompt regarding the linked image, interrupting the workflow and requiring manual confirmation.
Verify the exact network path of the shared server where your linked images are stored, and confirm with your organization's IT administrator that this location is secure and approved.
Add the Shared Server to Trusted Locations
Configure Word's Trust Center to recognize the image folder as a trusted location, stopping the prompts without globally disabling security.
By adding the specific network folder to Trusted Locations, you tell Word that the files inside are safe, suppressing the security notice for those specific linked images while keeping overall security intact.
Open Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom. In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Trust Center' in the left-hand pane, then click the 'Trust Center Settings' button.
In the Trust Center window, select 'Trusted Locations' from the left sidebar to view the current list of safe folders.
Click the 'Add new location' button at the bottom. In the dialog box that appears, enter the network path of the shared server or click 'Browse' to locate the folder containing your linked images.
Check the box that says 'Subfolders of this location are also trusted' if your images are organized in subdirectories. Click 'OK' on all dialog boxes to save your changes.
Check Automatic Link Update Settings
Review the document's link settings to ensure the linked image is configured to update automatically, which can prevent manual update prompts.
Experience Hassle-Free Document Editing with WPS Office
If you are tired of dealing with complex Trust Center configurations and persistent security prompts in Microsoft Word, WPS Office offers a streamlined, highly compatible alternative for your document needs.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Document: Right-click your Word document containing the linked images and select 'Open with WPS Office'.
- 3. Edit Without Interruptions: Enjoy a clean, fast editing experience with comprehensive format compatibility and without navigating complex security settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word display a security notice for linked images?
Word displays these notices to protect your computer. Linked files from external or shared network sources can potentially harbor malicious code, so Word requires you to confirm that the location is safe before loading the external content.
Should I globally disable security protections in Word to stop these notices?
No, it is highly recommended not to disable security protections globally unless explicitly approved by your IT administrator. Doing so leaves your device vulnerable. Instead, use the Trusted Locations feature to whitelist only specific, verified folders.
Why is the 'Edit Links to Files' option disabled in my Word document?
The Links option may be grayed out or unavailable if the embedded content is locked, if the document has restricted editing enabled, or if the specific linked object type does not support manual link modification within Word.
