How to stop Word auto-saving directly to OneDrive on Windows 11

• Microsoft is changing how Word saves new documents by default.
• The app will now automatically store new files in OneDrive instead of the local drive when AutoSave is enabled.
• The goal is to simplify backups and cloud access, but many users are raising privacy concerns.
• If you prefer to keep files offline, you can disable AutoSave and set Word to save documents locally through the app’s settings.

Microsoft is updating its Microsoft 365 (Office) apps, specifically Word, to automatically save documents directly to OneDrive by default. The company made the announcement quietly during its last OneDrive event, where Microsoft also announced various new products, including a brand-new OneDrive app for Windows 11.

The company is testing this configuration now (as spotted by Windows Central) with an update available through the Insider Program. According to the official announcement, Microsoft stated: “Starting today, new documents in Word desktop on Windows (Insiders) now save directly to OneDrive, with autosave enabled.”

It also means that when creating a new document and AutoSave is turned on, Microsoft Word will save that file to OneDrive without prompting the user for confirmation.

The idea behind this behavior change is to simplify keeping files backed up in the cloud, with easy access from any device connected to OneDrive. The only problem is that this change also raises privacy concerns for many users.

If this change isn’t for you, it’s possible to keep your file saved locally on your computer.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to configure Microsoft Word to keep documents locally stored on your computer.

Stop Word from saving documents to OneDrive by default

The first step is to avoid enabling the “AutoSave” feature. If the toggle switch in the top-left corner is on, turn it off. That’s it.

However, you can go two steps further. In addition, ensure that your files are saved by default in a local folder, rather than inside the OneDrive folder. Finally, you can also remove the “AutoSave” option from the toolbar to prevent accidental activation.

To change the auto-save settings in Word, follow these steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Word app.

2. Click on File.

3. Click on Options.

4. Click the Save tab.

5. Click the Browse button in the “Default local file location” setting.

   

6. Choose a storage location that’s NOT inside the OneDrive.

7. Click the OK button.

8. (Optional) Click the Quick Access Toolbar tab.

9. Select the Turn AutoSave On/Off option from the right side.

   

10. Click the Remove button in the middle. Quick note: This action will remove the “AutoSave” toggle from the top-left corner in Word.

11. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the next time you try to save a Microsoft Word document, the default location offered by the application will be a locally available folder. Also, the “AutoSave” toggle will no longer be available in the toolbar.