Getting "Want to save your changes" in Word without my having made any changes

PurpleQ 135

On 2 Windows 11 computers in the past few weeks, when closing a document in Word I've been getting "Want to save your changes" without my having made any changes. The Save pop-up appears if I've had the document open for 1 minute, but not for open times that are much less than one minute.

Various workarounds have been suggested for this problem over the past decade, but this problem has only recently showed up for me, and on 2 computers, so there may be a new problem created by an update. I've tried the workaround of going to File > Options > Advanced > General and verified that the box for "Prompt before saving Normal template" is not checked. I'm using version 2509 (Build 19231.20194 Click-to-Run).

Word offering to save is a problem for 2 reasons:

(1) If one choose Save when NO changes have been made, the file will now have a new save timestamp, which makes the content seem more recent than it is.

(2) If the prompt to save is ignored and there ARE changes, these will be lost.

The prompt is most useful if it alerts the user if and only if there are changes to be saved.

Are others finding this is starting to happen to them too? Are there workarounds to stop it?

Moderator note: Locking this thread after the original poster has indicated that the issue has been resolved in version 2506. See the Recommended Answer. Anyone who still sees the issue or later finds that it has returned, feel free to start a new thread (include a link to the current thread).

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

Michael Butterfield 85 Reputation points

2025-11-29T12:03:44.4333333+00:00

This is a BUG. This is also a security risk. This was introduced recently by Microsoft and they need to fix it.

Why is it a security risk? If you ignore the "save dialog" and click "Don't Save", very often, the next time you go to open the document you get the message that something occurred and you are opening a temporary version of the document (forgetting, but its something like an .asx extension). This is definitely a HUGE security risk; many of my documents are password protected. When it goes to open the temporary document, all security fences (passwords) are ignored and the document is exposed to whoever is looking at the screen. A bad actor could force a reboot of your machine and the next time the machine is unlocked, they could open the document and get access to it. Its not too hard to do.
Suzanne S Barnhill 279.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-11-29T13:06:17.3166667+00:00

All the more reason to report this to Microsoft via Help | Feedback.
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2025-11-29T13:32:33.4666667+00:00

This was already reported 25 days ago at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/79aa3d8a-f8b8-f011-aa43-7c1e526e4a18, referencing this thread.

Is there some way of nudging Microsoft to act on such problems, or is the MVP advice to file duplicate reports?
Stefan Blom 351.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-11-29T15:34:00.0233333+00:00

@PurpleQ, you can vote for an existing report. You can also post it again, of course. The more attention it gets, the better. However, note that Microsoft may decide that this is by design or caused by third-party drivers, since the problem doesn't affect all users.
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2025-12-09T12:36:01.02+00:00

This bug is really annoying - I'm currently working on an important document and am constantly worried that I might accidentally have hit a key.

I've now realized that the error only occurs when my PC is connected to the internet - but that's not a solution.

Edit: Unfortunately, I cannot reliably replicate the observation. The error now also occurs when my computer is disconnected from the Internet.
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-02T15:10:35.95+00:00

There are already two tickets for this bug on Microsoft's feedback portal to vote up:

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/946d0bd8-86af-f011-aa43-7c1e529756a0

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/79aa3d8a-f8b8-f011-aa43-7c1e526e4a18
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-06T11:24:20.6266667+00:00

I have now noticed that a progress bar flashes briefly in the bottom bar of Word, indicating that Word is performing an operation. The progress bar only flashes briefly, which is why it can only be seen when editing a complex document. Since the message is only visible for a very short time, I cannot say with certainty what Word is doing exactly (Counting the words in the document? Numbering the pages of the document?)

Whatever Word is doing, this seems to be the reason why Word detects changes to the document and asks if they should be saved. After the progress bar is complete, Word indicates that there are changes that have not yet been saved.
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-06T11:31:43.2533333+00:00

I can only speak for myself, but unfortunately the bug is still present on my devices.

Word Version 2512 (Build 19530.20074)
Suzanne S Barnhill 279.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-06T13:21:36.3866667+00:00

If you are seeing this when you first open the document, it is that Word is repaginating. You can shortcut the process by pressing Ctrl+End, but that won't affect any "save changes" notices.
Stefan Blom 351.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-06T15:51:21.6533333+00:00

I am on version 2511 here, and I am not seeing the issue.

As far as I know, 2512 is a preview version of Office (see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/current-channel-preview ).
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-07T09:39:56.65+00:00

Yes, I was also a little confused that version 2511 is listed as the most recent update on Microsoft's support page.

However, I don't think I have a preview version of Office; I'm using the current channel:
Stefan Blom 351.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-07T10:38:40.6333333+00:00

Thanks for the screen shot. It has been reported in the past that version numbers may be slightly different, even for users on the same "update channel."
Michael Butterfield 85 Reputation points

2026-01-15T15:54:54.0133333+00:00

To all that followed up; thank you. The fix for me was disabling co-pilot. The bigger picture that software developers enable features by default without asking the user if they want the feature (never mind the feature, co-pilot, caused the issue). Secondarily, the software developers re-enable features that you have deactivated. Posting this on Microsoft's website cannot fix a methodology. This needs to come from within the meetings of the software developer. Developers; ask yourself, is this what I would want.
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-01-15T16:03:18.1733333+00:00

I've tried several ways of turning off Copilot but I don't see any such functionality except in Edge. It is possible that I turned off Copilot in the early days, but I still have the fake save problem described in this thread.
Michael Butterfield 85 Reputation points

2026-01-15T16:15:58.1933333+00:00

Just open a new blank document and then...
File - Options (lower left) - CoPilot
Uncheck "enable"
Rambler 5 Reputation points

2026-01-15T17:15:16.3366667+00:00

Sounds simple but the Co-Pilot tab in settings doesn't exist for me either. Have seen pictures of it so know exactly where it should be, Office saying I'm fully up to date.
Jeff Stucker 35 Reputation points

2026-01-15T17:25:27.69+00:00

So you don't have this options screen available? Here's where I unchecked "Enable Copilot" to fix the save issue.

What version are you on? Here's my version
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-01-15T17:35:55.34+00:00

My version of Word is newer (Version 2512 (Build 19530.20074 Click-to-Run), but I don't have a Copilot option between Proofing and Save.
Eric Haas 5 Reputation points

2026-01-15T19:32:14.0366667+00:00

on Word for Mac, upon opening file Word shows the filename & character count in the lower left corner - and one can close the file without being asked to save. As soon as that info turns to Page # / words / language (after a few seconds), it asks to save. Hope this helps MS pinpoint bug
Charles Kenyon 170.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-02-24T18:26:27.1233333+00:00

@PurpleQ I see in the forum that you made a comment today, but I can't find it.
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-02-24T19:35:09.7+00:00

I commented the comment by Jennifer Barlow "I can't see a Copilot section in Options either. MS 365 Apps for Business v2601. I'd love to know how to get around this issue." to say that I can't see a Copilot section in Options either, and as the Original Poster I'm not marking this as solved until I and others such as Jennifer Barlow have this fixed.

I can't find Jennifer Barlow's comment or mine - I don't know if these are buried or deleted, but thanks for the opportunity to clarify this.
Charles Kenyon 170.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-02-24T20:00:41.77+00:00

Hi @PurpleQ ,

I believe the "for Business" subscriptions do not have this CoPilot option. It has to be done through your IT department. I am currently on version 2602 and am not seeing the problem, but I am on a personal subscription.

And I have complained about how confusing these threads can be. It took me 15 minutes to find your newest comment.
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-02-24T20:07:35.2833333+00:00

If indeed the Business subscriptions are missing Copilot and therefore the Business subscriptions are unable to use the fix for the Save bug discussed in this thread it should motivate Microsoft to fix the Save bug so as not to torment its higher paying customers, which is not just unwise but potentially embarassing.

Answer recommended by moderator

PurpleQ 135

This problem seems to be fixed in Version 2605 (Build 20026.20168) on Windows 11 version 25H2 (Build 26200.8655).

PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-06-19T09:54:04.08+00:00

It seems that Microsoft has built this forum with the assumption that acceptable answers can only come from people other than the Original Poster. How can I indicate that I accept my answer? Perhaps a moderator can do so, or perhaps someone else can reply that they too find that the problem is fixed and I can accept that answer.
Stefan Blom 351.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-19T18:58:54.49+00:00

Thanks for the follow-up. I'll mark your reply as a Recommended Answer.

14 additional answers

Teresa Parker 40 Reputation points

2025-12-09T00:32:53.3266667+00:00

We edit our local newspaper using Word specifically because of its precision regarding version control. Now, since yesterday, Dec. 7, each time I open a document, even making no changes in it, perhaps to check a word count or some other detail, I'm getting the save changes prompt. Precise timestamps are ruined this way. But also, the prompt creates anxiety: OMG did I accidentally change something? Should I save or not?

This is a major, major problem and the fixes I'm seeing require resetting things within each document? You've got to be kidding me. Nobody has time for that. And I don't even know what half of those options are that you're asking me to pick through.

My staff and I are working on dozens of documents a day, each one requiring meticulous care. Please don't mess with my mind this way. Please un-do whatever you did to make this happen. It's disastrous to editors.
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7 people found this answer helpful.
Chud 0 Reputation points

2025-12-12T02:06:01.8566667+00:00

Agreed. This behavior just started around Dec 7th. Every doc that is opened needs to be saved even if nothing is done to it. Not even printed.

Charles Kenyon 170.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-02T20:38:03.3033333+00:00

My understanding from other users is that this has been fixed. I have no info from MS.
Stefan Blom 351.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-07T11:10:52.4066667+00:00

@Hippolyt, it has been suggested elsewhere that the Copilot add-in could be responsible for the excessive save prompts. Is that a possible explanation in your case? Do you have Copilot enabled and, more importantly, do you have the add-in installed?
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5 people found this answer helpful.
Teresa Parker 40 Reputation points

2026-01-07T13:39:24.7666667+00:00

I do not use co-pilot or have it enabled. I do not have a co-pilot add-in.

Jeff Stucker 35 Reputation points

2026-01-07T15:22:06.9966667+00:00

When I disabled Copilot in Word, the problem went away for me.

Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-07T15:50:07.21+00:00

Yes, that's it! After unchecking “Copilot” in the settings of Word, the problem is gone!

Thanks for this tip! I'm currently publishing my dissertation and being prompted to save every time I opened a document was driving me crazy.

(I don't see a Copilot add-in; Copilot is in my case implemented directly in Word)

Michael Butterfield 85 Reputation points

2026-01-07T16:16:11.9+00:00

Yes, disabling CoPilot worked for me also. Thank you to the person for discovering this. Technically speaking, this whole issue is a big security risk beyond the potential loss of data.

Rambler 5 Reputation points

2026-01-07T16:44:47.6066667+00:00

Hmm, v2511 here and I don't have a "copilot" section in Options, though do have the chat shortcut in the Ribbon. Everyone who's disabled Copilot on 2512?

Jennifer Barlow 5 Reputation points

2026-02-24T16:39:29.8933333+00:00

I can't see a Copilot section in Options either. MS 365 Apps for Business v2601. I'd love to know how to get around this issue.

PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-02-24T17:01:23.86+00:00

I also can't see a Copilot section in Options. As the original poster, I can't certify this as solved unless I can fix it.

Windows11hasbrokenme 0 Reputation points

2026-03-20T13:11:19.36+00:00

First thing I did with the new machine was disable Copilot. So that's not a solution. For those like me who don't see it in the Options, perhaps you had already disabled Copilot elsewhere and that's why the option doesn't exist in Word settings. This is the glitchiest build of the entire Office suite I've ever encountered. (Version 2602 Build 16.0.19725.20126)

Charles Kenyon 170.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-03-20T20:02:07.47+00:00

AFAIK, the disable CoPilot option is not available in business subscriptions. For the perpetual license business installations it depends on the IT department. (I am speaking from what I've seen here, not from personal knowledge.)

Windows11hasbrokenme 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T13:33:34.7266667+00:00

Since posting I've noticed I can disable (pause?) it with some features/apps but not others. Sadness.

Nurul Imlati 80 Reputation points

2026-04-02T10:05:23.06+00:00

there's no copilot embedded or as ad-ins in my MS word option tab. But my MS Word ribbon has co-pilot icon on the right side. I dont know how to disable it. but for sure, disabling autosave in Cloud does not work for me. I still get the save prompt. It's ridiculous for Microsoft to not seriously working on this issue. I have been experiencing this issue more than 3 months now. very annoying :(
Jeff Stucker 35 Reputation points

2025-10-30T00:38:36.59+00:00

This was NOT fixed for me by going to File > Options > Advanced > General, and unchecking the box for "Update automatic links at open".

'(' Jeff
\
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3 people found this answer helpful.
Miguel Galvan 20 Reputation points

2025-10-30T14:00:53.4933333+00:00

I tested this. It did not resolve the issue. Word still prompts to save upon exit after 30 seconds or so.

Jeff Stucker 35 Reputation points

2025-10-30T17:06:34.8966667+00:00

Yeah, I noticed something similar--problem reappears if the document is left open long enough. I'm disabling all my add-ins to see if that makes a difference.

And -- nope! -- still prompts for a Save if you leave the document open for a while.
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2025-10-22T01:22:22.3966667+00:00

It looks like #2 is correct: printer repagination.

I created a one word file. It didn't suffer from the gratuitous saving problem.

I then pasted the same word on many lines to create a 2-page document. It did suffer from the problem.

I set the default printer to "Microsoft Print to PDF". The 2-page file now didn't suffer from the problem. To set to default I needed first to unselect "Let Windows manage my default printer".

This bug should be fixed, but since I only print every few weeks the workaround is not much bother.

Thanks.
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2 people found this answer helpful.
Anonymous

2025-10-22T22:36:41.4266667+00:00

Hi @PurpleQ,,

Thank you so much for your detailed follow-up and for confirming that changing the default printer resolved the issue. We're really glad to hear that the workaround helped, and we appreciate you taking the time to test and share your findings.

If you have any further questions, run into other issues, or just want to share feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to assist and ensure your experience with Microsoft products is smooth and productive.

Best regards,

Miguel Galvan 20 Reputation points

2025-10-23T14:34:10.82+00:00

After trying everything listed above, the issue remains. I've narrowed it down, though. If a file is opened locally, the "Save your changes to this file?" pops-up when trying to close it after a minute or so - even with no changes. However, when files are opened via OneDrive with AutoSave turned on, no pop-ups. This is extremely frustrating for some users who have dozens of documents open at a time! Are there any other options?

Kevin McKeown 100 Reputation points

2025-10-28T17:11:26.5066667+00:00

For files in OneDrive or SharePoint, if you turn off the Autosave, you will start to see the save changes bug. Also, with Autosave turned on, if you sit and watch it for 30 seconds or so, you will see it do an autosave on its own...which is still a problem.

PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2025-10-30T20:01:29.2666667+00:00

The default printer workaround is no longer working. I have withdrawn my earlier acceptance of that as the answer.

Jeff Stucker 35 Reputation points

2025-11-30T21:52:36.7533333+00:00

Changing the default printer did not help me either.