How to fix Microsoft Excel’s Crashing when using Macro’s or Add-ins

The dreaded lockup, freeze, crash and lag in Microsoft Excel…

Ever since the 2020 Microsoft Windows 10 update occurred, I have noticed a strange error happening with Excel. When loading a process, while using either a Macro or an Add-in, Excel lags, locks up, or just straight up crashes.

If you google the problem, Microsoft says to update your computer, update office, and then restart your machine by completely powering it down. But what if the problem still persists, like it did for me? What after that?

Surprisingly there is an easy fix that has absolutely nothing to do with Excel, or even Office. Instead, the setting can be found inside of the Windows Security (use to be, Windows Defender) Virus Protection application.

At the bottom right of your screen (next to the clock), click the up arrow and double click on the shield.

In the new window navigate to ‘Virus & thread protection’ > under ‘Virus & threat protection’ click ‘Manage Settings’ > and then disable ‘Cloud-delivered protection’.

Why does this work? To be honest, I have no idea. But I am happy that it does work!