hyperlinks from powerpoint ppsx files not opening

Dear @shaun christopher,

From what you described, I understand that you have a main PowerPoint Show (.ppsx) running on a touchscreen kiosk in a museum. When visitors tap a hyperlink, it should open another linked .ppsx (for example, to play a video). After the visitor closes the linked show, it should return to the main show. Recently, the linked .ppsx does not open until the main show is closed.To better assistance, could you please confirm following information:

• What is your PowerPoint version and build number? (Please go to: PowerPoint > File > Account > About PowerPoint and copy the Version/Build.)
• Where are the .ppsx files saved and opened from? (Local PC, Network share or SharePoint/OneDrive)
• Do you see any warning or security message when you click the hyperlink?
• Did anything change around that time? (Office update, Windows update, new antivirus/security policy, new kiosk software, or moving files to a new folder/server.)
• How is the link created in the slide? (A hyperlink to a file, an Action button or a clickable shape/image with a link)
• What exactly happens when you tap the link? (Nothing at all, A brief flash, A message appears, the mouse pointer changes, Does PowerPoint freeze for a moment?)

In the meantime, I recommend some steps below:

Option 1: Repair Office

• Close all Office apps (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.).
• Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps
• Find Microsoft 365 Apps (or Microsoft Office) > select Modify.

• Choose Quick Repair > then Repair.

• If it still happens, repeat steps 1–3 and choose Online Repair (this takes longer but is more complete).

Option 2: Put all files in one local folder

1/ Create a folder: C:\PPT-Kiosk-Test\

2/ Copy the main .ppsx and all linked .ppsx into this folder

3/ Open the main file in edit mode and recreate the links to the local copies

4/ Run the slideshow and test again

Option 3: Use a shortcut that opens the video show in slideshow mode

PowerPoint supports a switch called /S that opens a file as a slide show.

For more detail: Command-line switches for Microsoft Office products

You can create a shortcut (or a .bat file) that runs something like:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft "C:\MuseumKiosk\Video1.ppsx"

Option 4: Put the videos inside the main file

If the linked .ppsx is only used to play videos, embedding the videos directly in the main presentation often avoids this type of “open second show” issue.

Please understand that our initial response does not always resolve the issue immediately. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.        

Your detailed response will help us diagnose and investigate the issue more efficiently. If I misunderstood what you’re looking for, feel free to let me know or share a screenshot. I’d be happy to help further!

Thank you for your cooperation. I'm looking forward for your reply.

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i think this issue is probably related to an update provided by microsoft for the following issue...

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-32200

which seems to prevent multiple powerpoiont slide shows from being run at one time...