check before: 2024-10-01
Product:
Microsoft 365 Apps, Visio
Platform:
Online, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact, Retirement, Updated message
Links:
Details:
Summary:
ActiveX will be disabled by default in Office 2024, affecting Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio. This change occurs in October 2024 for Office 2024 and begins in April 2025 for Microsoft 365 apps. Users can re-enable ActiveX by adjusting Trust Center Settings, the registry, or group policy settings.
Details:
Updated September 6, 2024: We have added an image below. Thank you for your patience.
We're making some changes to the handling of ActiveX objects in the Microsoft Office client apps.
Starting in new Office 2024, the default configuration setting for ActiveX objects will change from Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimal restrictions to Disable all controls without notification. This change applies to the Win32 desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.
[When this will happen:]
For new Office 2024, this change will happen immediately when it's released in October 2024.
For Microsoft 365 apps, this change will rollout in stages beginning in April 2025.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2024-09-06
updated:
2024-09-19
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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Pictures
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summary for non-techies**
Starting in October 2024, Microsoft Office 2024 will have ActiveX disabled by default, affecting Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio, with Microsoft 365 apps following in April 2025; users can re-enable ActiveX through Trust Center Settings, registry adjustments, or group policy changes.
Direct effects for Operations**
Loss of ActiveX Functionality
Users will be unable to create or interact with ActiveX objects in Office documents, leading to potential disruption in workflows that rely on these features.
- roles: End Users, Office Administrators
- references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/updated-activex-will-be-disabled-by-default-in-microsoft-office/ba-p/3651234
User Experience Degradation
Existing ActiveX objects will only be visible as static images, which may frustrate users who rely on interactive content for their tasks.
- roles: End Users, Support Staff
- references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/updated-activex-will-be-disabled-by-default-in-microsoft-office/ba-p/3651234
Increased Support Requests
The change may lead to an increase in support requests from users needing assistance to re-enable ActiveX or adjust settings, straining IT resources.
- roles: Support Staff, IT Managers
- references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/updated-activex-will-be-disabled-by-default-in-microsoft-office/ba-p/3651234
Training and Documentation Needs
Organizations will need to update training materials and documentation to reflect the changes in ActiveX functionality, requiring additional time and resources.
- roles: Training Coordinators, IT Managers
- references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/updated-activex-will-be-disabled-by-default-in-microsoft-office/ba-p/3651234
Potential Compliance Issues
If ActiveX controls are used for compliance-related tasks, disabling them may lead to compliance risks or violations if not addressed promptly.
- roles: Compliance Officers, End Users
- references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/updated-activex-will-be-disabled-by-default-in-microsoft-office/ba-p/3651234
Configutation Options**
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Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2024-09-19 | MC Messages | CLONE FOR GALLATIN/USSec/USNat
Updated September 6, 2024: We have added an image below. Thank you for your patience. We're making some changes to the handling of ActiveX objects in the Microsoft Office client apps. Starting in new Office 2024, the default configuration setting for ActiveX objects will change from Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimal restrictions to Disable all controls without notification. This change applies to the Win32 desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio. [When this will happen:] For new Office 2024, this change will happen immediately when it's released in October 2024. For Microsoft 365 apps, this change will rollout in stages beginning in April 2025. | Updated September 6, 2024: We have added an image below. Thank you for your patience.
We're making some changes to the handling of ActiveX objects in the Microsoft Office client apps. Starting in new Office 2024, the default configuration setting for ActiveX objects will change from Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimal restrictions to Disable all controls without notification. This change applies to the Win32 desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio. [When this will happen:] For new Office 2024, this change will happen immediately when it's released in October 2024. For Microsoft 365 apps, this change will rollout in stages beginning in April 2025. |
| 2024-09-19 | MC Last Updated | 09/06/2024 20:55:14 | 2024-09-18T19:38:55Z |
| 2024-09-07 | MC MessageTagNames | Admin impact, Retirement | Updated message, Admin impact, Retirement |
| 2024-09-07 | MC Last Updated | 09/06/2024 01:23:09 | 2024-09-06T20:55:14Z |
| 2024-09-07 | MC Messages | We're making some changes to the handling of ActiveX objects in the Microsoft Office client apps.
Starting in new Office 2024, the default configuration setting for ActiveX objects will change from Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimal restrictions to Disable all controls without notification. This change applies to the Win32 desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio. [When this will happen:] For new Office 2024, this change will happen immediately when it's released in October 2024. For Microsoft 365 apps, this change will rollout in stages beginning in April 2025. | CLONE FOR GALLATIN/USSec/USNat
Updated September 6, 2024: We have added an image below. Thank you for your patience. We're making some changes to the handling of ActiveX objects in the Microsoft Office client apps. Starting in new Office 2024, the default configuration setting for ActiveX objects will change from Prompt me before enabling all controls with minimal restrictions to Disable all controls without notification. This change applies to the Win32 desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio. [When this will happen:] For new Office 2024, this change will happen immediately when it's released in October 2024. For Microsoft 365 apps, this change will rollout in stages beginning in April 2025. |
| 2024-09-07 | MC Title | ActiveX will be disabled by default in Microsoft Office 2024 | (Updated) ActiveX will be disabled by default in Microsoft Office 2024 |
| 2024-09-07 | MC How Affect | Users will no longer be able to create or interact with ActiveX objects in Office documents when this change is implemented. Some existing ActiveX objects will still be visible as a static image, but it will not be possible to interact with them. In non-commercial SKUs of Office, users will see this notification when an ActiveX object is blocked by the new default behavior:
The new default setting is equivalent to the existing DisableAllActiveX group policy setting. | Users will no longer be able to create or interact with ActiveX objects in Office documents when this change is implemented. Some existing ActiveX objects will still be visible as a static image, but it will not be possible to interact with them. In non-commercial SKUs of Office, users will see this notification when an ActiveX object is blocked by the new default behavior:
The new default setting is equivalent to the existing DisableAllActiveX group policy setting. |
Last updated 3 months ago
