Message: "PowerPoint couldn't load the add-in [add-in file name]" when starting Powerpoint 2007
Problem
When you start PowerPoint 2007, you see a message:
PowerPoint couldn't load the add-in [path to add-in file]
You click OK to dismiss the message box and PowerPoint loads normally.
Solution
Use the Add-ins dialog box or follow the add-in developer's uninstall instructions rather than just deleting the add-in's PPA file.
- Press ALT + T + I (that's a capital "i"). The Add-Ins dialog box appears.
- In the Available Add-Ins list, click the missing add-in.
- Click Remove. This unloads the add-in from memory if it's loaded and also removes the registry entry that tells PowerPoint to load the add-in at startup.
PowerPoint will no longer try to load the add-in at startup and will stop complaining about it.
Background
If you don't like a certain installed add-in, you can simply delete or rename the add-in's PPA file to disable it.
However, PowerPoint creates a registry entry for each installed add-in. This entry tells PowerPoint to load the add-in at startup. Previous versions of PowerPoint would see this entry, look for the add-in file and, if it's not there, simply go ahead without complaining.
PowerPoint 2007 feels like it needs to TELL you about these missing add-ins.
If you'd deleted an add-in file in an earlier version then upgraded to PowerPoint 2007, the registry entries would still be there, so PowerPoint 2007 yells at you.
Moral: Use the Add-ins dialog box or follow the add-in developer's uninstall instructions to remove add-ins rather than just deleting the add-in's PPA file.