To turn off AutoSave in Word, click the AutoSave switch in the top-left corner of the window so it reads Off. That stops AutoSave for the open document. To keep it off for every file, go to File > Options > Save and clear AutoSave files stored in the Cloud by default in Word.
AutoSave only works on files saved to OneDrive or SharePoint, so if the switch is grayed out, the file is already saved on your PC and AutoSave isn’t running. These steps are for Word in Microsoft 365 on Windows and Mac. Older standalone versions such as Word 2016 have AutoRecover but no AutoSave switch.
Quick Answer
Click the AutoSave switch in the title bar to turn it off for this document. For all documents, clear the AutoSave option in File > Options > Save, then restart Word.
Turn Off AutoSave for One Document
- Open the document in Word.
- Find the AutoSave switch at the far left of the title bar.
- Click it so it changes to Off.
- From now on, press Ctrl + S (or Command + S on a Mac) to save changes yourself.
Word remembers this choice for that file. Other cloud files still use AutoSave unless you change the default below.
Turn Off AutoSave by Default (Windows)
- Select File, then Options (it may be under More).
- Select Save on the left.
- Clear the check box for AutoSave files stored in the Cloud by default in Word.
- Select OK, then close and reopen Word.
Stop New Documents From Saving to OneDrive
Starting in late 2025, Microsoft began changing Word for Windows so that new documents are saved to OneDrive right away with AutoSave on. If your blank documents get a date-stamped name and land in OneDrive, change these settings:
- Go to File > Options > Save.
- If you see Create new files in the cloud automatically, clear it.
- Check Save to Computer by default if your version has it.
- Next to Default local file location, select Browse and choose a folder that isn’t inside OneDrive, such as a Documents folder on your PC.
- Select OK and restart Word.
The exact labels vary by update channel, so you may see only some of these options.
Turn Off AutoSave on a Mac
- Open Word and select Word > Preferences (or Settings).
- Select Save.
- Clear Turn on AutoSave by default.
AutoSave vs. AutoRecover
| AutoSave | AutoRecover | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Saves every change as you type | Saves a backup copy every few minutes |
| Works on | OneDrive and SharePoint files | All files, including local ones |
| Changes the real file? | Yes | No, it keeps a separate recovery copy |
| Where to change it | Title bar switch or File > Options > Save | File > Options > Save > Save AutoRecover information every X minutes |
Keep AutoRecover on even with AutoSave off. It’s what lets you recover an unsaved Word document after a crash.
Why Turn AutoSave Off?
- You want to experiment without overwriting the original. (With AutoSave on, use File > Save a Copy first instead.)
- You’d rather keep documents on your PC than in OneDrive, or you often work in Word offline.
- Large files feel slow while syncing.
Using a Mac? See how to turn on AutoSave in Word for Mac.
Troubleshooting
- The switch is gray: The file is saved locally or in an older format (.doc). AutoSave only works with .docx files in OneDrive or SharePoint.
- It turns back on: Your organization may enforce AutoSave, or the default option is still checked. Clear the option in File > Options > Save and restart Word.
- There’s no AutoSave switch at all: You’re using a version without it, such as Word 2019 or earlier, or the Quick Access Toolbar is hidden. Right-click the ribbon and choose Show Quick Access Toolbar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off AutoSave delete my work?
No. Anything already saved stays saved. You just need to save new changes yourself.
Can I undo changes AutoSave already saved?
Yes. For OneDrive files, select the file name at the top and choose Version History to open an earlier version.
Summary
- Click the AutoSave switch to turn it off for one document.
- Clear the AutoSave option in File > Options > Save to turn it off by default.
- Change the cloud and default-location settings if new files keep saving to OneDrive.
- Leave AutoRecover on as a safety net.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.