How to fix the “File with password protection cannot be opened multiple times in Excel 2016” password issue on Windows 11 24H2

Why Won’t My Password-Protected Excel File Open Twice? And How to Fix It Struggling with Excel 2016 on Windows 11 24H2? Here’s How to Solve the Password Issue

The Problem: Excel 2016 Freezes After Opening Password-Protected Files

You open a password-protected Excel file. It works fine the first time. But when you try again, Excel freezes at the loading screen. This issue has been plaguing users of Microsoft Excel 2016 running on Windows 11 version 24H2. The only way out is to force quit the app through Task Manager.

It’s not Excel’s fault. It’s Windows 11 version 24H2 causing the trouble. Earlier versions, like Windows 11 23H2, don’t have this problem.

Why Is This Happening?

A blog reader (shoutout to DaHerb) ran tests and found that even a fresh Office 2016 installation without updates faces this issue on Windows 11 24H2. It’s not tied to recent Excel updates or patches—it’s purely an OS-level conflict. Others have reported similar problems in forums like Reddit and Microsoft Answers. The bug doesn’t just affect password-protected files; it can also impact files with links or those locked by another user.

Workarounds That Actually Work

Solution 1: Enable Add-Ins in Excel

1. Go to File > Options > Add-Ins.
2. Activate “Solver” and “Analysis ToolPak – VBA.”
3. Restart Excel and test your file.

This fix has worked for many users and might save you from pulling your hair out.

Solution 2: Use Registry Tweaks

If you’re comfortable editing the registry, here’s what you can do:

For Excel 2016 (32-bit):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel\Options]
"OPEN"="/R \"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft Office\\Office16\\Library\\Analysis\\ATPVBAEN.XLAM\""

For Excel 2013 (32-bit):

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Excel\Options]
"OPEN"="/R \"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft Office\\Office15\\Library\\Analysis\\ATPVBAEN.XLAM\""

Save these as .reg files and double-click to import them into your system.

Solution 3: Deploy Fixes via GPO

If you manage multiple systems, use Group Policy Objects (GPO) to distribute the registry fix across devices. This method is efficient for IT admins handling large networks.

What’s Next?

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and plans to release a fix—eventually. But with Excel 2016 nearing end-of-life in October 2025, don’t hold your breath. For now, these workarounds are your best bet. This bug is annoying but manageable with these steps. Hopefully, Microsoft rolls out a permanent solution soon!