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When you enable an add-in, it adds custom commands and new features to Microsoft 365 programs that help increase your productivity. Because add-ins can be used by attackers to do harm to your computer, you can use add-in security settings to help protect yourself.

Note: This article only applies to Microsoft 365 applications running on Windows.

View installed add-ins

  1. Click File > Options > Add-Ins.

  2. Highlight each add-in to see the add-in name, its publisher, compatibility, it’s location on your computer, and a description of its functions.

View Add-Ins area of Trust Center

Click a heading below for more information.  

  • Active Application Add-ins     Add-ins registered and currently running on your Microsoft 365 program.

  • Inactive Application Add-ins     These are present on your computer but not currently loaded. For example, XML schemas are active when the document that refers to them is open. Another example is the COM add-in: if a COM add-in is selected, the add-in is active. If the check box is cleared, the add-in is inactive.

  • Document Related Add-ins     Template files referred to by open documents.

  • Disabled Application Add-ins     These add-ins are automatically disabled because they are causing Microsoft 365 programs to crash.

  • Add-in     The title of the add-in.

  • Publisher     The software developer or organization responsible for creating the add-in.

  • Compatibility     Look here for any compatibility issues.

  • Location     This file path indicates where the add-in is installed on your computer.

  • Description This text explains the add-in function.

Note: Microsoft Outlook has one add-in option in the Trust Center: Apply macro security settings to installed add-ins. InfoPath has no security settings for add-ins.

To disable or remove an add-in follow these steps:

  1. Click File > Options > Add-ins

  2. Towards the bottom of the window, where it says Manage, click the Go button

  3. In the dialog box, select the add-ins you want to disable or remove

    Use the Manage COM Add-ins dialog box to disable or remove unwanted add-ins

  4. To disable the add-in, just uncheck the box in front of its name. To uninstall the add-in select it and click Remove

  5. Click OK to save your changes and return to your document

You can see and change add-in settings in the Trust Center, descriptions of which are in the following section. Add-in security settings may have been determined by your organization so not all options may be available to change.

  1. Click File > Options.

  2. Click Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Add-ins.

  3. Check or uncheck the boxes you want.

Add-Ins area of Trust Center

  • Require Application Add-ins to be signed by Trusted Publisher     Check this box to have the Trust Center check that the add-in uses a publisher's trusted signature. If the publisher's signature hasn’t been trusted, the Microsoft 365 program doesn’t load the add-in, and the Trust Bar displays a notification that the add-in has been disabled.

  • Disable notification for unsigned add-ins (code will remain disabled)     When you check the Require Application Extensions to be signed by Trusted Publisher box, this option is no longer grayed out. Add-ins signed by a trusted publisher are enabled, but unsigned add-ins are disabled.

  • Disable all Application Add-ins (may impair functionality)     Check this box if you don't trust any add-ins. All add-ins are disabled without any notification, and the other add-in boxes are grayed out.

Note: This setting takes effect after you exit and restart your Microsoft 365 program.

While working with add-ins, you may need to learn more about digital signatures and certificates, which authenticate an add-in, and trusted publishers, the software developers who often create add-ins.

Use the following instruction to manage and install add-ins.

  1. Click File > Options > Add-Ins.

  2. Select an add-in type.

  3. Click Go.

  4. Select the add-ins to add, remove, load, or upload. Or browse to locate add-ins to install.

If you've subscribed to an add-in through the Microsoft 365 Store that you don't want to continue, you can cancel that subscription

  1. Open the Microsoft 365 application and go to the Insert tab of the ribbon.

  2. In the Add-ins group click My Add-ins

    On the Insert tab of the Ribbon you'll find the Add-ins group for managing Excel add-ins

  3. Choose Manage My Add-ins

    The Office add-ins dialog lists the add-ins you have installed. Click Manage my Add-ins to manage them.

  4. Click the app you want to cancel and under Action click Manage Subscription.

  5. Under the Payment and Billing section choose Cancel Subscription.

  6. Click OK and then Continue.

Once that's complete you should see a message that says "You have cancelled your app subscription" in the comments field of your apps list.

Some add-ins might not be compatible with your organization's IT department policies. If that is the case with add-ins recently installed on your Microsoft 365 program, Data Execution Prevention (DEP) will disable the add-in and the program might crash.

Learn more about DEP

See also

Taking linked notes

If you're looking for Help on linking notes in OneNote to a Word or PowerPoint document, see Take linked notes.

Excel Windows Add-ins

If you're looking for Help on specific Excel Add-ins, such as Solver or Inquire, see Help for Excel for Windows add-ins.

If you're looking for additional help with Excel add-ins using the COM Add-ins dialog box, see Add or remove add-ins in Excel.

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