Are you all of a sudden getting Microsoft Word macro/virus warnings?  Not sure where they're coming from?  Don't remember installing anything recently?  Read on for further details about a possible solution!

I recently installed the latest Microsoft instant messanger program, now called Microsoft Messanger.  Unfortunately I didn't realize it, but during the install, I checked one of the (wrong) options (which of course I forgot about a few days later and started opening up some Word docs).  This is the warning I'm talking about.  (Note: all the images are full size but they're reduced to make room on the webpage to make it easier to view, if you want to see the images full size, click on the image)

It's the Microsoft Office Live Add-in that's the source of the macro virus warnings you see.  Here is the installation screen that shows the exact checkbox item that's the source of the issue.

If you're now seeing the macro virus warning, there are two things you can do, 1) freak out, but then 2) you'll want to check the Microsoft Word Add-ins to see if you have the Microsft Office Live Add-In installed.

If you have this add-in installed then, like me you might try to unintall it right from here!  Makes sense to me, right?!  hhmmmm no. :<<<<

I got this error message using Vista (with XP you might not get this, then you're lucky, but keep reading anyways for easier/better ways to remove).

If you go looking on the web, one complicated solution is to run WinWord.exe as administrator but that's the much more complicated way to remove this add-in. :<  There's a better way.

Goto Windows Start, Control Panel, and then the Add Remove Program (XP) or Programs and Featuures (Vista).  Check to see if you have

Notice the highlighted Microsoft Office Live Add-in 1.3.  This was installed cause I either checked it on purpose or by accident that option on the install.  At this point, you just need to uninstall that one line item and you're good to go, no more Word virus warnings.

Oh, what happens IF YOU DID want that feature?  hhhmm I guess you'll have to decide what's more important, virus warnings everytime you read/view/edit a doc or losing the Live connection?  If there's a way to remove the warning message, I would love to read about it (oh and changing the trust center options for signed assemblies doesn't seem to work for me).

 

 

Resources:

Word 2007 - Continuous Macro Errors, The function you are attempting to run contains macros or other conten

The Connected State of Office Add-ins Registered in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Cannot Be Changed Error When Enable or Disable in Office Outlook/Word/Excel 2007