WD97: Macro Virus Warning Message When You Start Word (198057)

SYMPTOMS

When you start Word, the following macro virus warning message appears:

The document you are opening contains macros or customizations. Some macros may contain viruses that could harm your computer.

If you are sure this document is from a trusted source, click Enable Macros. If you are not sure and want to prevent any macros from running, click Disable Macros.

CAUSE

This problem may occur when you double-click any of the following:

A shortcut pointing to an incorrect or missing document or a template that contains macros.
A Word shortcut on the desktop that points to a document or template that contains macros.
A shortcut on the Windows menu that points to a Word document or template that contains macros.
A Word file on the Windows desktop that contains macros (and you use this shortcut to start Word).
A Word shortcut that points to Email.dot.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the appropriate method for your situation.

Method 1: Change the Shortcut

Change the desktop or menu shortcut to point to the correct file or to a file that does not contain macros.

NOTE: You may have had a previous Word shortcut that pointed to an existing file, but you may have renamed, deleted, or moved the file, causing your shortcut to become invalid. When this occurs, Windows tries to find the file, and it is possible that the shortcut will be directed to an incorrect file. This can also occur when you upgrade from one version of Word to another. Shortcuts you may have are not affected by the Word Setup program. It is possible that your existing shortcut will become invalid after you upgrade to a new version of Word.

Method 2: Move the File and Correct the Shortcut

Move the file that contains macros to any of the template folders that Word uses, and then correct your shortcut to point to the file in the new location.

NOTE: Word trusts that a file placed in any of the template folders is safe (free of macro viruses). Be certain that this is the case for all files that you place in these locations.

Method 3: Create a New Desktop File

Create a new Word file on the Windows desktop that does not contain macros to start Word.

MORE INFORMATION

This functionality is by design in Word when you have Macro Virus Protection turned on (this setting is on by default). To turn on Macro Virus Protection (if it is turned off), use the following procedure:

On the Tools menu, click Options.
Click the General tab.
Under General Options, click to select the Macro virus protection check box, and then click OK.

To Change a Desktop Shortcut

On the Windows desktop, right-click the Word shortcut icon.
On the shortcut menu, click Properties.
Click the Shortcut tab.
Change the "Target" and "Start in" paths as appropriate, and then click OK.

To Change a Windows Menu Shortcut

On the Windows taskbar, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Taskbar.
Click the Start Menu Programs tab, and then click Advanced.

This takes you to the Start Menu folder.
Switch to the location that the menu shortcut displays. For example, for Word 97, double-click Programs. On the right side of the window, you should see a shortcut to Microsoft Word.
Right-click the Microsoft Word shortcut, click Properties, and then click the Shortcut tab.
Change the "Target" and "Start in" paths, as appropriate, and then click OK.

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

160686 WD97: No Macro Warning Opening File in Template Folder

161515 WD97: Macro Virus Warning Displayed When No Macros Exist in File

163932 WD97: Frequently Asked Questions About Word Macro Viruses