Office Settings & Configuration

How to Unblock Macros in Microsoft Office Using Trusted Locations

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to unblock and run macros in a Microsoft Office file by configuring a trusted folder.

Product: Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening a macro-enabled Office file (such as a PowerPoint .pptm) that is being blocked by default security settings.
Observed behavior: Macros are blocked from running unless the file is executed from a designated Trusted Location.

Before you start

Ensure you only unblock macros for files obtained from reliable and trustworthy sources, as macros can contain harmful malicious code.

Solution 1Recommended

Add a Trusted Location on a Local Drive

Configure the Office Trust Center to recognize a specific local folder as safe for running macro-enabled files.

By default, Microsoft Office blocks macros to protect your device. Designating a specific folder as a Trusted Location allows any macro-enabled files placed inside it to run automatically without security warnings.

Open Trust Center Settings

Open your Microsoft Office application (e.g., PowerPoint). Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, select 'Options', and navigate to 'Trust Center'. Click the 'Trust Center Settings' button.

Add a New Trusted Location

In the left pane, click 'Trusted Locations'. Click the 'Add new location...' button at the bottom of the window.

Select the Folder

Click 'Browse' to locate and select the folder you want to trust. If you want files in subfolders to be trusted as well, check the box for 'Subfolders of this location are also trusted'. Click 'OK'.

Run the Macro File

Move your macro-enabled file (such as your .pptm file) into this newly trusted folder, then open it. The macros will now be unblocked and ready to run.

Folder Designated: Any file placed in this folder will bypass standard macro security checks, so keep this folder secure.

Solution 2

Add a Trusted Location on a Network Drive (NAS)

Configure trusted locations for files stored on a Network Attached Storage (NAS) or shared network drive.

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1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install WPS Office for free.
2. Open Your File: Launch WPS Office and open your macro-enabled file directly.
3. Enable Macros: Follow the on-screen prompt to enable macros safely and seamlessly run your scripts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are macros blocked by default in Microsoft Office?

Macros are blocked by default as a strict security measure to protect your device from potentially malicious code, viruses, or ransomware that can be embedded in Office files downloaded from the internet.

Can I unblock macros for just one specific file instead of a whole folder?

Yes, you can manually unblock a single file. Right-click the file in Windows File Explorer, select 'Properties', and check the 'Unblock' box at the bottom of the 'General' tab before clicking 'Apply'.

Why isn't my network drive IP address working for Trusted Locations?

The Microsoft Office Trust Center requires you to use the server's mapped name (e.g., \\ServerName\Share) instead of the direct IP address when adding a network path. Office's security protocols do not recognize IP addresses as valid Trusted Locations.

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