FIX: This document contains links that may refer to other files
When attempting to open a Word document, you get an error message saying, “This document includes connections to other files.”
The steps outlined in this post will teach you how to use a workaround to resolve this problem and remove all of the links that were responsible for it in the first place.
Rename your file
Right click on the file containing the error and select Rename.
You may try renaming your Word document to see if the issue remains after that.
Updating or breaking your Links
Open any Word file and click on the File tab.
Select Options found at the lower left corner.
Click on Quick Access Toolbar and make sure you are viewing All Commands.
Look for Edit Links to File and click on the Add button.
On your Quick Access Toolbar, a chain icon should have been added. Click on this icon and a list of link will be displayed.
Select these links and set to Manual Update, or break all links.
Troubleshoot
Open the file with the error.
Click on the File tab and choose Info.
Select Check for Issues and click on Inspect document.
Select on all checkboxes and click on Inspect to view further issues.
Follow on-screen instructions when prompted to fix your file error.