Block Flash activation in Office documents (CLSID 70, 16.0)
The `ActivationFilterOverride` DWORD value controls an exception to Office activation blocking for the `Macromedia Flash Factory Object`, identified by CLSID `{D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}`.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKLM\software\microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\COM Compatibility\{D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}\ActivationFilterOverride
The ActivationFilterOverride DWORD value controls an exception to Office activation blocking for the Macromedia Flash Factory Object, identified by CLSID {D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}.
With a value of 0, the exception is not active. Office therefore retains its default complete activation block for this COM object. The object cannot be loaded as an embedded or linked component of an Office document or activated inside an Office process through another mechanism, such as an add-in.
This value does not remove or disable Adobe Flash Player system-wide. Its scope is limited to the specified COM class within the Office applications covered by Microsoft's Office COM blocking behavior.
Notes
Security
This setting prevents Office processes from instantiating the obsolete Flash COM object, preserving Microsoft's full protection against execution of that ActiveX/OLE component.
A value of 1 would narrow the block to linking and embedding scenarios, permitting other activation paths within Office. Setting the value to 0 avoids that relaxation.
The setting applies only to CLSID {D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}. The related Shockwave Flash Object uses the separate CLSID {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} and is not controlled by this registry value.
Possible side effects
Legacy Office documents, templates, macro-based solutions, or add-ins that depend on the Macromedia Flash Factory Object cannot run their Flash content or dependent functionality. Microsoft and Adobe have not supported Flash Player since December 31, 2020.
Notes
According to Microsoft, the specified registry path applies to 64-bit Office on 64-bit Windows and to 32-bit Office on 32-bit Windows. A 32-bit Office installation on 64-bit Windows uses the corresponding path below HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node instead.
Microsoft documents Office COM blocking for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Visio. The 16.0 version branch is used by Office 2016 and Microsoft 365 Apps, among other Office releases.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Support: Security Settings for COM objects in Office
Microsoft Learn: Security baseline for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise