Office Settings & Configuration

What Does the Add-Ins Runtime Message Mean in Microsoft Word?

Jason Miller Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to understand the purpose of the "Starting the add-ins runtime" loading message in Microsoft Word and learn how to safely manage or disable these add-ins.

What Does the "Starting the Add-Ins Runtime" Message Mean in Microsoft Word?

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening Microsoft Word or launching a specific document triggers a loading message about add-ins runtime.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word displays a message stating "We are starting the add-ins runtime. Please wait...", causing user concern about potential data privacy issues or unauthorized access.

Before you start

Rest assured that the "starting the add-ins runtime" message is a standard notification in Microsoft Word indicating that third-party extensions are loading; it is not a security threat or a sign of data theft.

Solution 1Recommended

Review and Manage Add-ins in Microsoft Word

Check your installed add-ins and disable any that you do not recognize or no longer need to speed up Word's startup time.

Add-ins are third-party tools (such as grammar checkers, citation managers, or PDF creators) that extend the functionality of Microsoft Word. If you have several add-ins installed, Word requires extra time to initialize them during startup.

Disabling unneeded add-ins can eliminate the runtime loading message and improve the overall performance of the application.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word. Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select "Options" at the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Navigate to the Add-ins Menu

In the Word Options dialog box, click on "Add-ins" in the left-hand navigation pane to view a list of all Active, Inactive, and Disabled Document Add-ins.

Select Add-ins to Manage

At the bottom of the window, find the "Manage" dropdown menu. Ensure "COM Add-ins" (or the specific type of add-in you want to check) is selected, and click the "Go..." button.

Disable Unnecessary Add-ins

A new window will appear showing your installed add-ins. Clear the checkbox next to any add-in you do not need or trust, then click "OK" to save your settings.

Review and Manage Add-ins in Microsoft Word

Keep Trusted Add-ins: If you rely on specific third-party tools for your daily work (like Adobe Acrobat or Grammarly), leave their respective add-ins enabled to retain their features.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the add-ins runtime message a sign of a virus or data theft?

No, this is a completely normal Microsoft Word message. It simply means that an installed extension is preparing its features for you to use. It does not indicate that anyone is unauthorizedly accessing or downloading your documents.

Should I disable all add-ins in Microsoft Word?

You do not need to disable all add-ins unless you are actively troubleshooting performance or crash issues. It is recommended to only disable the add-ins that you do not recognize, no longer use, or suspect are causing Word to load slowly.

How do I know which specific add-in is causing the runtime message?

To identify the specific add-in causing the message, you can perform a process of elimination. Go to File > Options > Add-ins, and disable them one by one. Restart Word after disabling each add-in to see if the runtime message stops appearing.

Can I permanently delete an add-in instead of just disabling it?

Yes. In the COM Add-ins dialog box (File > Options > Add-ins > Manage: COM Add-ins > Go), you can select an add-in and click the "Remove" button to permanently delete it from Microsoft Word, rather than just unchecking the box to disable it.

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