Office COM kill bit for Shockwave Flash Object
Setting the `Compatibility Flags` DWORD to `1024` (hexadecimal `0x00000400`) applies the Office COM kill bit to the `Shockwave Flash Object` COM class identified by CLSID `{D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}`.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
Show registry keys (1)
HKLM\software\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\COM Compatibility\{D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}\Compatibility Flags
Setting the Compatibility Flags DWORD to 1024 (hexadecimal 0x00000400) applies the Office COM kill bit to the Shockwave Flash Object COM class identified by CLSID {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}. Office consequently prevents this Flash ActiveX control from being activated.
The WOW6432Node location applies to 32-bit Office running on 64-bit Windows. This value belongs to the Office-specific COM kill-bit list; it is distinct from the general Internet Explorer ActiveX kill bit.
Notes
Additional effects
In Office versions containing the relevant kill-bit update, the restriction is not limited to objects embedded in or linked from documents. It blocks activation of the specified COM class inside an Office process, including activation attempted through mechanisms such as add-ins.
If ActivationFilterOverride is also present with a value of 1 for the same CLSID, the block is narrowed to linking and embedding scenarios.
Security
The restriction prevents documents, add-ins, and other components operating inside an Office process from loading this legacy Flash COM class. This reduces exposure within Office to vulnerabilities in the Flash ActiveX control.
The value does not uninstall Flash or prevent the control from being activated outside Office. It also applies only to the specified CLSID; it does not automatically block other Flash COM classes.
Possible side effects
Office documents and extensions that depend on this COM class can no longer initialize or play their Flash content. Affected features may display no content, report an error, or stop working.
Notes
Microsoft identifies another Flash class with CLSID {D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}. The registry value documented here affects only {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}.
Microsoft documents the Office COM kill-bit mechanism for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Visio. The corresponding location for 64-bit Office on 64-bit Windows does not contain WOW6432Node and is outside the scope of this registry value.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Support: Security Settings for COM objects in Office