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
411 comments
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Anonymous
commented
Rubbish!
how can I turn it off and also for files that I store on Onedrive? -
euan
commented
HOW DO YOU TURN THIS RUBBISH OFF! Why would you put this feature in, it's 2019 we know how to use the save button. You have caused me no end of a ball ache the last few weeks, ********* word!
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NZ
commented
Ugh! AutoSave may help some users, some of the time, but it looks like it has been nothing but a headache to a large majority of the power users. I thought it was a great feature until I started opening large files and Excel started locking up on me a few times a day.
Please do not automatically activate new features in future releases and updates. Tell us about them and let us decide if we want to turn them on.
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Circle of Care
commented
If you must have the autosave feature, then ensure that a copy of the original document not lost completely, just in case one needs to go back to the original document.
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AG
commented
Whatever camp you're in, users should be able to set the default for this setting to suit however they want to work.
Personally, as a heavy Excel user I do not need or want workbooks saving until I want them saved - brief scenario analysis or changes that don't need to be saved are commonplace throughout the workday. This is especially true when multiple files are open - users need to be assured that actions they're accustomed to managing themselves aren't occurring unintentionally. The default setting here needs to be in the hands of the user.
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Mark
commented
Recent updates removed the ability to open a microsoft file from one drive in finder and have the auto save function. The work around by only opening from within the program (like word excel etc) to have the auto save function work is a backward step.
When opening multiple documents across different software (like word, excel and power point) the additional steps now involved is annoying at least but mostly leads to a loss of time which translate to increase time cost. Please fix this function - why microsoft takes one step forward then two backwards is an ongoing mystery. It seems like microsoft are trying to loose paying customers. -
Gary Brown
commented
Although the autosave feature has had its issues, in my opinion it works brilliantly for collaboration on excel sheets. For those that dont agree with the way that autosave works, I think there are 3 options for you. 1 - Train staff to save a copy of the document they are working on before they start to make changes. 2 - switch off collaboration in 365 sharepoint, and go back to using "check in, check out". 3 - spend some cash and get an on premise server, you wont have autosave issues on premise Windows.
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Anonymous
commented
AutoSave is by far the worst thing Microsoft has ever done.
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Anonymous
commented
Our organisation has lost more data due to Autosave than it would have lost due to our users forgetting to save a document. System Administrators need control over their business and this autosave policy removes control. Roll back this change or provide administrative control of the policies as our data is now being impacted.
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Anonymous
commented
I think I figured out how to turn autosave off. Open Word and go to >File >Options >Save and unclick "Autosave OneDrive and SharePoint files by default on Word". When I did that, my Autosave toggle in the command ribbon shows "off" and turned grey (I cannot click it to toggle it on). Then I removed it from the ribbon. Hope this works, and helps!
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David Eccles
commented
Stop Trying to be Google Docs. You spent nearly 30 years training users to user Save As. Now you are undoing it in one release, without any major tweak to the UI interface.
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Marc Fletcher
commented
Auto save destroys the user's ability to try something in a file, save it if they like it, or discard it if they don't. Auto save makes the assumption that content creation is a linear process. It's not. Please keep auto save off by default.
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Michael Flynn
commented
Horrible horrible idea - put the feature in by all means and then if I am working on a document and want it to auto-save I can turn it on - I despair of Microsoft sometimes it's as if you have been infiltrated by a bunch of open office folks who are intent and destroying you - you were once so good - sad to see
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Anonymous
commented
There actually already is a way to disable this feature! I could only find a German tutorial, but I'll try to explain shortly what you have to do. https://excelblog.ch/excelblog/automatisches-speichern-in-office-365-deaktivieren/
Press WINDOWS-KEY+R to open the Run dialog box. Enter regedit and press OK to open the registry editor. Open "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" → "Software" → "Microsoft" → "Office" → "16.0" → "Excel" (Note: Don't forget to go down into the "16.0" folder). Create a new D-Word (32 bit) using right-klick, name it DontAutoSave and assign a value of 1 to it (right click -> edit). You then can repeat this for Word/PowerPoint/whatever instead of Excel and when you restart the respective program the next time, autosave should be disabled :)Hope I could help - this feature is really annoying!
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Anonymous
commented
I absolutely loathe this feature (if you can call it that). And for all those people saying you simply upload the previous version - I have tried it - it DOES NOT WORK!!
This so called feature causes me so much stress and rework that it is unbelievable. There should be an easy way to switch it off
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Nathan Berger
commented
This is not a good suggestion, and not representative of the whole. AutoSave is a great feature, and no data is lost given Versioning History is enabled by default for any file that uses AutoSave, as it is stored on OneDrive. Please disregard this suggestion.
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Arnout Nederpelt
commented
Please set it to disabled by default - unless explicitly enabled by the user
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DWellser
commented
MS should be embarrassed for thinking 'Mandatory Autosave' was a desired feature by its users -- then finding out the majority of users feel it is a nightmare --- and MS not doing anything about it. PLEASE GET IT OFF IMMEDIATELY and return the backup of the files as it was before this terrible feature was added.
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Anonymous
commented
Everyone here needs to be educated on version history. Autosave has version history which is extremely easy to use. Nothing is lost. Educate yourself and your users on this feature and it will greatly improve your experience. Autosave should absolutely stay.
Everybody needs to understand they have eliminated that dreaded "where is my work, I forgot to save" panic moment. I realize that people need to change their work habits a little bit. Between version history and Save As Copy, there's not a single reason turn off autosave - ever!
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Austin Sloan
commented
If Autosave is on and saves over something you wanted, you can go back to an earlier version.
Click File > Info and select View and restore previous versions.
Click a version to open.
Click Restore if you find the version you want.