Disable the new AutoSave by default, as it can lead to a loss of data
The new AutoSave can potentially lead to a loss of data. If you open any Word, PowerPoint, etc. doc, there is an "AutoSave" that is automatically on, on the upper left. If you're changing some stuff around and don't want to save, it still saves it. Or if you delete some things and then save as copy, your original is gone, because AutoSave was on. This is a horrible feature and should be disabled by default.
Version 1705 (Build 8117.1000 Click-to-Run)
Office Insider Fast
Charlie Chen
shared this idea
We see two patterns in this feedback thread and are addressing them now. The first pattern is that users want AutoSave OFF. The second pattern is that the Template scenarios are problematic with AutoSave.
To address turning AutoSave OFF, we have implemented these capabilities:
1. To avoid accidental edits by others, the owner of a file can set it to Always Open Read-Only. This can be done by setting the file to open in Read-Only Recommended (File > Info > Protect Document/ Workbook/ Presentation > Always Open in Read-Only) or by Sharing the file without allowing others to edit (File > Share > People with the link can edit > Uncheck the “Allow Editing” box).
2. Users can turn AutoSave OFF for a file. While a document is open, clicking the AutoSave toggle turns AutoSave OFF for the current document for that user. The next time the same user opens the document, AutoSave will be OFF. If they open a different document, AutoSave will not be affected by their choice in the other document.
3. Users can set AutoSave to be OFF by default for all files opened in that specific application (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Go into File > Options > Save (to set AutoSave settings)
These are described in more detail in this support article: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/what-it-administrators-should-know-about-autosave-88e0f80f-e5ea-441b-9c5a-259f08490ae7
To address the Template scenarios, we have released a new dialog reminding the user to “Save a Copy” prior to using an existing template if you want to save changes only in the new document. This is in the Production and Semi-Annual channel today.
If you have any questions or additional feedback on these features – please email us directly at: OfficeAutoSave@Microsoft.com
397 comments
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Anonymous
commented
Offline Storage Table often called as OST is a file format utilized by Microsoft Exchange Server to help users manage their messages or mail data offline. Personal Storage Table referred to as PST is also a proprietary file format which helps users to store copies of their events in the calendar or messages inside Microsoft software. We need an OST to PST converter offering by Coolutils to migrate data from ost file format to pst format https://www.coolutils.com/OSTtoPSTConverter
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My Name is Joe
commented
This is the most pathetic feature that MS created. they are all about telling us what to do and how. For me,once i modify the file i do not want to save on another date. It seems that MS things they have the right to tell us when the save and when not to save.
There will come a day where someone else comes along and gives us other options.
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Michael C
commented
Instead i would like an autosave feature that saves a version of the file, in a user specified folder for each workbook. The autosave function i'm needing is the backup function, get into my folder and find a file version from 2 hours ago before i broke my sheet :)
Another issue i'm having, which im suspecting autosave feature to be a part of is that recently when im saving a file it just forever is trying to save it but never finishes, although im also suspecting onedrive for business.
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SHAW
commented
the above will works for desktop Office app, but how about the Office online app?
Right now, when I open a Sharepoint online Words doc, for example, wanting just to preview it, Words online immediately open the file in EDIT mode. Any accidental typing/deletion means immediate auto-saving. Sometime not knowing that something has been overwritten and autosave, the browser is closed, and the damaged is done permanently.By default, when we open a file online in any of the office online app, it should be in a VIEW MODE by default. If one wants to update/edit the file, there can be a button to ENABLE EDIT to turn it into Edit mode. Really need this feature to protect accidental loss of data in Office files.
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Autosave is crap
commented
I have the global autosave setting off for all excel files however, every time i "save file as" it automatically puts autosave back on. What's the point of a global switch if it continuously turns itself back on anyway??
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Walter O
commented
Hallelujah. Now AutoSave can be OFF by default. When was that feature added? I didn't see it a few months ago (it is now June 20, 2019.) Anyway, thank you Microsoft. No longer are my files imprinted with a new date when I merely open it. No longer must I set all of my files to Read Only in batches to prevent that from happening.
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Zerox For use
commented
Auto save is totally rubbish
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Duncan
commented
Just turn it off! What's the problem?
It's a great feature and saves time and, for me, saves loosing data. I have it turned on for most of my Office apps, bar Excel which I prefer to be off due to a couple of spreadsheets that suits that functionality.
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Stuart T
commented
I note that in Office 2010 there is no warning in Word that the file already exists (do you wish to overwrite it?) yet in Excel there is a warning.
Also from an auditing point of view I endorse the concerns about the change to the original files date/time stamp.
So, inconsistent and a fundamental change to established working practices.
MS - I think you lost the plot on this one.
Stuart T
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Anonymous
commented
How about making AutoSave a SharePoint document library level setting? In some cases it'a nuisance, in some cases a lifesaver, so it would help to be able to configure it per library.
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Daan
commented
I absolutely agree with Optii, it's 2019, change the way you work.
Plus, as he said as well, revisions.
Stop complaining. -
Chris
commented
Absolutely rubbish autosave function!
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Optii
commented
Dudes. Wake up. Change your way of working. All unhappy ppl write here. While the happy don’t give their voice. They are happy. So it’s a bubble issue with how bad it seams from reading your comments. Truth is it’s a new workflow the enables many ways of working. Data loss? Cmon. It’s revision based and you can always backtrack. The main argument is backwards. Auto save helps against data loss, if you have a modern up to date working methods. However kudos for giving individuals the power the choice to re-enable good old times and not want to learn new stuff.
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Kristjan
commented
If you use this function and bear in mind its characteristics, it is very helpful especially when your computer crashes regularly.
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Glenn
commented
This "feature" has repeatedly led me to lose file templates I use frequently, because now the edited version replaces the blank version without me noticing.
I have to keep backups of backups of files I use as templates which is really annoying.And for some reason the Auto-Save feature even keeps re-enabling itself..
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Colin
commented
Agree with most comments below - Autosave is rubbish! Does anyone know if it can be set to default to a local folder on my computer rather than an online folder? The File/Options/Save settings form seems to suggest you can default to a local folder location, but when set and tested the Word doc was not saved to this (or any) location.
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Paul
commented
In addition - it changes timestamps on the files, often even if you don't make a change to the file. Just opening some documents has caused an "autosave" and now my file that was created in 2017 is stamped as 2019 in the file explorer. It basically tosses out the reliability of timestamps in your folders.
I opened a few presentations and word docs from 2016. I didn't make changes. Now one is stamped 2019 which could easily confuse me later because it implies I made a change in 2019. I'll have to start putting fixed dates in my documents until this feature becomes optional.
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Anonymous
commented
Autosave is utterly assinine. What the **** were you thinking Microsoft???
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Christopher Noy
commented
Echoing most other comments: HORRIBLE "Feature" needs to be disabled by default. This has caused me to lose several important documents I was using as base files to create new documents. Now all I have are the new files, with no way to restore previous version.
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Gary Lee
commented
IBM Mainframes used to have a much-hated source code editor ICCF (commonly called Icky-F) that worked the same way. Apparently Microsoft has decided to bring back one of the worst features of a crude early DOS mainframe implementation.