Fix Word Macro Security Warnings from Dragon NaturallySpeaking
Question details
The user is encountering persistent macro security warnings when opening Microsoft Word, even on blank documents, caused by the Dragon NaturallySpeaking add-in.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Starting Microsoft Word while the Dragon NaturallySpeaking application is running or its add-ins are installed.
- Observed behavior
- Word displays a macro security warning at startup for blank documents because the Nuance Dragon plug-in or VBA components are being loaded.
Verify that the warning only appears when Dragon NaturallySpeaking is running by closing the Nuance application completely before launching Microsoft Word.
Trust the Nuance Code-Signing Certificate
Adding the Dragon NaturallySpeaking (Nuance) certificate to your Trusted Publishers list allows the add-in to run without triggering Word's macro security warnings.
Microsoft Word's Trust Center blocks unrecognized macros and add-ins by default. By explicitly trusting the Nuance certificate, you bypass the security warning for this specific application.
Launch Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, select 'Options', and then navigate to the 'Trust Center' tab.
Click the 'Trust Center Settings' button on the right side of the window.
Select 'Trusted Publishers' from the left pane and import the valid Nuance code-signing certificate provided by Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
Close Microsoft Word completely and relaunch it to verify if the macro warning still appears on startup.
Investigate and Reset Normal.dotm
Sometimes the security warning is mistakenly attributed to the global template. Resetting it ensures the issue is isolated to the add-in.
Collect Logs and Contact Support
If trusting the certificate and resetting templates fails, advanced diagnostic logs are required by Microsoft or Nuance support.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless and Secure Document Experience
If persistent add-in conflicts and macro warnings in Microsoft Word are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and frustration-free environment for all your document needs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents directly. Enjoy seamless editing without legacy macro warnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get a macro warning on a completely blank Word document?
When you open a blank document, Microsoft Word still loads application-level add-ins (like Dragon NaturallySpeaking) and the global Normal.dotm template in the background. If any of these contain VBA code or macros, it will trigger the security warning.
How do I safely trust a Nuance add-in certificate in Word?
You can trust the certificate by going to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Publishers, and importing the valid Nuance code-signing certificate. This tells Word that the add-in is safe to run.
What if trusting the publisher doesn't stop the warning?
If the warning persists, your organization's Group Policy might have strictly disabled all VBA execution, or your Normal.dotm template might be corrupted. You may need to rename your Normal template or consult your IT administrator regarding Group Policy settings.
Is there a way to temporarily disable Dragon NaturallySpeaking in Word?
Yes. You can go to File > Options > Add-ins in Word, select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage drop-down, click 'Go', and uncheck the Dragon NaturallySpeaking add-in to disable it temporarily and verify if it's the root cause of the warning.
