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Turn Off Word AutoSave: 6 Efficient Methods
6 min. read
Published onAugust 12, 2024
published onAugust 12, 2024
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Learn how to turn off Word AutoSave on the desktop app in various ways, starting with the simplest ones.
As you know, Microsoft Word saves your work on any document either online or as a backup copy. If the backup is saved on OneDrive or SharePoint Online, it’s usually known as AutoSave. Contrarily, if you’re working on an offline document, it’s known as AutoRecover.
I’ll show you how to disable it below, so let’s jump right in!
How To Turn Off Word AutoSave in 6 Ways
Let’s look at the specific methods and their steps below:
Using Its Switch
You’ll find theAutoSaveswitch in the top left corner of the Word for Microsoft 365 desktop app.
When the setting is in theOnposition, Word saves a copy of the most recent edit inOneDriveorSharePoint Online.
To disable the feature, simply click on the switch and toggle it off.
Word will now save future copies in the local storage. Remember that you’ll have to manually save the file or you’ll lose your work.
Moreover, OneDrive and SharePoint Online will retain the last saved copy. However, it won’t be updated anymore.
Using Word Options
This method will disable AutoSave system-wide:
Via Version History
Here are the steps to use the Version History setting to turn off Word AutoSave:
Stop Word AutoRecover for All Offline Documents
Find below the quick steps to disable Word AutoRecover:
Remove Word AutoSave and AutoRecover Using Word VBA
Find below two simple VBA scripts that will help you deactivate different types of backup systems:
Follow the steps mentioned earlier to create a new module in the Word VBA Editor tool and use the following script:
Once you’ve created the VBA macro, pressAllt+F8to go to theMacrosdialog and selectDisableAutoRecover. Now, hitRunto execute the script.
It’ll show the following warning dialog box:
If you allow, the script will run and show a confirmation once done.
Turn Off AutoSave in Word on Mac
Follow along with these steps on a Mac to pause AutoSave and AutoRecover:
Summary
So, now you know how to turn off the Word AutoSave feature. Use the method you find the most intuitive and fitting depending on your situation.
If the article helped you or you want to suggest any alternatives, feel free to comment below.
You might also want to readwhy my Word document won’t saveandhow to turn off Protected Viewto manage your files efficiently. Additionally, learn how toturn off AutoSave on Excel.
More about the topics:Microsoft 365,Microsoft Office,Microsoft Word
Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Passionate about technology,Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world.
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, with a complete expertise in touch-based devices, he is constantly keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest!
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Vlad Turiceanu
Windows Editor
Coming from a solid background in PC building and software development, he’s a Windows 11 Privacy & Security expert.
