Word Security Requestor when generating PDF file

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Posted on 11 Mar 2025 02:22:25 by JeffreyDSmith

I am using PAD to invoke Word VBA macros to generate PDF files from Mail Merge templates. It is usually working well, but sometimes my Mail Merge templates have references to image URLs on my local drive (or OneDrive). This generates a Security Requestor that suspends my flow waiting for a YES or NO button click. I cannot detect the requestor from the PAD flow using OCR or anything else. There is no way to disable the requestor with Word Trust Center. Before Windows 11 24H2, the requestor appeared once, with each subsequent PDF generation for those image URLs would not show the requestor. Seems like the previous version of Windows remembered the approved image URLs. Now, with Windows 11 24H2, the requestor shows every time. If my flow could detect the requestor, then it could try remedial action to send keystrokes to click the YES button. Any ideas for how to solve this?

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JeffreyDSmith 65 on 14 Mar 2025 at 21:35:27

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Word Security Requestor when generating PDF file

While my VBA Macro is generating the PDF file, I tried using a timed "Wait for Mouse Arrow" as polling mechanism (instead of waiting blindly) to send the keystroke {Alt}({Y}) (the only keystroke that I could think of that won't damage the Word document) every few seconds until the mouse changes to Arrow.

It seems that when the Security Requestor is open the keystrokes from PAD are ignored, even when using "hardware keystroke" option. Manually typing ALT+Y works on the requestor, but for some reason, PAD keystrokes are ignored while the Security Requestor is open.

Totally broken.

Sigh...
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Robu1 1,056 Super User 2025 Season 1 on 11 Mar 2025 at 06:10:28

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Word Security Requestor when generating PDF file

Hi JeffreyDSmith,

Thank you for choosing Microsoft Power Platform Communities.

The change in behaviour with Windows 11 24H2 seems to have introduced a challenge with the Security Requestor.

Here are a few potential approaches to address this:

Automate Keystrokes: While PAD can't detect the Security Requestor directly, you could try using a combination of delays and simulated keystrokes to send the "YES" response.

This would require precise timing and might not be foolproof, but it could work as a temporary workaround.

Modify VBA Code: If possible, modify your VBA macros to pre-load or cache the image URLs before generating the PDFs. This might prevent the Security Requestor from appearing repeatedly.

Registry Tweaks: Investigate whether there are registry settings related to the Security Requestor or trusted image URLs. Be cautious with this approach, as modifying the registry can have unintended consequences.

Contact Microsoft Support: Since this behaviour changed with Windows 11 24H2, it might be worth reaching out to Microsoft Support or checking their forums for any updates or fixes related to this issue.

Here are some helpful resources:

Microsoft Documentation: The Windows 11, version 24H2 security baseline provides insights into security-related changes, which might include settings affecting the Security Requestor.

Windows 11, version 24H2 security baseline | Microsoft Community Hub

Windows 11, version 24H2 known issues and notifications | Microsoft Learn

Additionally, the Windows 11, version 24H2 known issues and notifications page might have relevant updates or workarounds.

YouTube Videos:

Windows 11, version 24H2 | Security, experience, performance, and migration updates: This video discusses security and performance updates in Windows 11 24H2.

Amazing Windows 11 24H2 New Features!: A comprehensive guide to the new features in this update.

Windows 11 24H2 Update – New Features You Need to Know!: Covers the latest features and improvements in Windows 11 24H2.

Windows 11, version 24H2 | Security, experience, performance, and migration updates.

Windows 11 24H2 Update – New Features You Need to Know!

I hope this helps! Let me know if you need any more assistance.

Happy to help

Robu 1