Microsoft Office 365 has a lot of productivity-enhancing features, and one of the most noticeable ones is AutoSave. AutoSave is a feature that saves documents in real time so that there is no loss of work if the system or computer shuts down suddenly or crashes.
There are some reasons to stop using autosave in Microsoft Office 365, which are discussed below, and how to disable the autosave feature.
1. Risk of Unintended Changes
One of the most significant drawbacks of AutoSave is that it automatically saves all changes to a document. This can be a problem when making temporary changes or testing out various formats. In contrast to manual saving, where users have the option of when to save changes, AutoSave takes away that control. If an error is made or unwanted changes are added, the original document may be lost unless version history is used—a process that is not always easy.
This problem becomes even more pressing when working with collaborative documents. When several users are editing a file, AutoSave saves each small change in real-time. A co-worker might inadvertently overwrite critical information, and it will be hard to keep track of and revert back to a preferred version.
2. Increased Risk of Data Loss Due to Overwriting
AutoSave can be a significant threat when editing critical files, especially when using a shared template or reference document. If a user inadvertently edits an original file, the changes are automatically saved, and it becomes hard to revert to the previous version. On the other hand, when AutoSave is turned off, users can edit a file without any restrictions and save only when they are content with the changes.
For example, if a worker opens a vital report to reference and inadvertently makes changes or deletes significant portions, AutoSave will automatically make these changes. If the individual doesn’t make a copy, the original material could be lost, resulting in labor-intensive recovery processes.
3. Potential Privacy and Security Risks
AutoSave is intended to integrate with cloud-based storage systems such as OneDrive and SharePoint, so each change is saved online instead of on the local computer. Although cloud storage is convenient, it comes with security vulnerabilities. If an individual is working on sensitive data and does not turn off AutoSave, confidential information can be inadvertently shared or saved in a place where unauthorized staff can access it.
In addition, in case an account gets compromised, a hacker can manipulate or erase important documents without the owner even noticing the difference at once. Because AutoSave saves the document continuously, any unauthorized changes will be saved instantly, and it becomes more difficult to identify and restore the original version.
How to Turn Off AutoSave in Microsoft Office 365
According to Microsoft, the AutoSave feature is a failsafe that saves your file automatically every few seconds, allowing anyone working with you on the cloud to view any changes you make instantly. But Microsoft has also removed the File > Save As command when you open a file via OneDrive, OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online.
So, what can you do to keep working and keep the original file intact?
- Disable AutoSave by toggling the switch to the Off position.
- You can disable AutoSave with a registry tweak if you are an Office 365 ProPlus subscriber.
- Uncheck the AutoRecover setting (File > Options > Save > Save AutoRecover information every X minutes).
The best thing to do would have been to switch off AutoSave altogether for individual files. This feature is not available system-wide, but it gets switched on automatically for every cloud-based file that you open. So, you have to remember to switch it off for every single file that you open.
Microsoft recommends that you use File > Save a Copy to work collaboratively on a copy of the original document. Instead of using the old Save As command to create a file with a different filename, you can just save a copy of the original document and work on that.
