How do I cancel the Back Up document folder for every document I create in Word This has begun to happen only in the last couple of days.

Question

How do I cancel the Back Up document folder for every document I create in Word This has begun to happen only in the last couple of days.

Anonymous

I have a Mac Air and a Word 2018 for Mac. The software is up to date but in the last couple of days I find tht new Word document get a Back Folder on the desktop, which I don't need. And despite sending them to the Bin, they reappear again when I switch on the computer. I would like to cancel that option.

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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Hello Emilia,

My name is EngineTyme, an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you and I would be glad to help you.

To disable the automatic creation of backup folders for Word documents on your Mac, follow these steps:

Check Word Preferences: Open Microsoft Word on your Mac. Go to the Word menu (top-left corner) and select Preferences. In the Preferences window, click on Save.
Disable Backup Copies: Look for the option that says “Always create backup copy”. If this option is checked, Word will create a backup copy with the extension .wbk each time you save a document. Uncheck this option if you’re sure you won’t need the backup copies. Save Changes:
Click OK or Apply to save your preferences.

Additionally, if you’re experiencing issues with files reappearing in the Bin after deletion, consider checking your iCloud sync settings. Sometimes, files synced with iCloud can cause unexpected behavior. Here’s how to disable iCloud sync for Desktop and Documents folders:

Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences.
iCloud Settings: Click on Apple ID (your name) and then select iCloud. In the iCloud tab, uncheck “Desktop & Documents Folders” to disable synchronizing the contents of your Desktop and Documents folders over iCloud. Click “Turn Off” in the small pop-up window that appears. Finally, click “Done” to save your settings

“Give back to the Community. Help the next person who has this issue by indicating if this reply solved your problem. Click Yes or No below. “

Please let me know if you have any questions or concern.

Best regards, EngineTyme.

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2 additional answers

Answer 1

Hello Engine Time,

Per your response above – I don't want to stop the "backups, I just want to stop the folders. I've been using Microsoft Office For Mac for years. I have always enabled backups and backups "files" in Preferences (settings). No problem.

It's only since 2023 that Microsoft creates a new folder for every single backup. It's a waste of disk space, forces another click, and most of all creates thousands of indistinguishable folders that make me crazy. For 2023-2024 I have approximately 39,000 folders. 10% are those I created to hold like documents. They are indistinguishable from the 35,000 folders created to hold a single backup. It makes search (Spotlight) a nightmare and virtually useless.

This should be an easy (and necessary fix). Are you aware of any work-arounds? It is truly an enormous waste of time.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Answer 2

Anonymous

Thank you very much. I found the instructions easy to follow and they solved the problem. I probably had ticket the box for back ups without noticing it. All is well now.

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