Block Flash activation in Office documents
The `ActivationFilterOverride` DWORD controls an exception to the Microsoft Office COM activation filter.
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}\ActivationFilterOverride
The ActivationFilterOverride DWORD controls an exception to the Microsoft Office COM activation filter. Under CLSID {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}, it applies to the Shockwave Flash Object ActiveX control.
A value of 0 does not enable the exception. Office therefore retains its complete activation block for this COM object: the control cannot be loaded directly from embedded or linked document content or indirectly by another component running inside an Office process.
This value is not the COM kill bit itself. Instead, it prevents the kill-bit behavior from being narrowed to embedding and linking scenarios. Microsoft lists this CLSID among the COM controls that Office blocks from activation by default. A value of 1 has a different effect and limits the block to objects embedded in or linked from Office documents.
Notes
Security
The setting prevents Office documents, add-ins, and other components running inside an Office process from instantiating this legacy Flash COM class. Flash content therefore cannot use this control as a route for executing active content within Office.
The block applies only inside the affected Office processes. It does not uninstall Flash, block COM activation outside Office, or cover other CLSIDs. Adobe Flash also has a second CLSID documented by Microsoft, {D27CDB70-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000}, which is not governed by this individual registry value.
Possible side effects
Office documents or add-ins that depend on the Shockwave Flash Object cannot load their associated animations, media, or interactive content. Document features that rely on the control are consequently unavailable.
Notes
ActivationFilterOverride is a DWORD value (REG_DWORD). The WOW6432Node path applies to 32-bit Office running on 64-bit Windows. 16.0 is the Office registry branch used by Office 2016 and subsequent Office releases in the same product generation.
Microsoft documentation
Microsoft Support: Security Settings for COM objects in Office