How to prevent files from automatically opening in Excel

Excerpt from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/troubleshoot/excel/files-open-automatically

Remove files from the XLStart folder and the alternative startup folders

To remove files from the XLStart folder and the alternative startup folders, follow these steps:

  1. Select Start, and then select Run.
  2. In the Open box, type one of the following and press Enter:
    • For Office 365 or 2019 32 bit:C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\xx\XLSTART
    • For Office 365 or 2019 64 bit:C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\xx\XLSTART

    Where “xx” represents the version that you are using (for example, Office15, Office14, etc.).

    Also try the following:

    • %appdata%\Microsoft\excel\XLSTART
    • C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\excel\XLSTART
  3. Delete any files in the XLStart folder or move them to another folder.
  4. Restart Excel.

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