Disable "Always create a backup file"

Jetta Todaro 0 Reputation points
2026-10-29T02:17:40.8966667+00:00

How to disable "Aways create a backup file" on MacBook Air

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS

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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 438.6K Reputation points
    2026-10-29T14:52:17.4166667+00:00

    The AI bot got this one right & the instruction given applies to virtually all versions of Mac Word:

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  2. SD - IA 182.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-29T03:07:49.7533333+00:00

    Hi,

    I hope you are checking the Word options, not MacOS Settings.

    If you still cannot find it using the instructions AI provided, your version of Word may not expose this option. Please share your Word version by opening Word > About Microsoft Word so I can provide the appropriate instructions.

    I look forward to hearing from you to get the results of the troubleshooting.

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  3. AI answer

    2026-10-29T02:18:16.4166667+00:00

    In Word for Mac, open Word > Preferences > Save, clear Always create backup copy, and then close Preferences.^1^

    This is a Word-specific setting, not a macOS System Settings option. It prevents Word from creating a separate backup copy whenever you save.

    • AutoSave is separate: it continually saves supported files stored on OneDrive or SharePoint. To disable it by default, go to Word > Preferences > Save and clear Turn on AutoSave by default.^2^
    • AutoRecover is also separate: it periodically stores recovery information in case Word or macOS crashes. Disabling backup copies does not require disabling AutoRecover.^3^

    Existing backup files are not removed when the setting is disabled; delete them separately only after confirming that the original documents are intact.

    References

    1. How do I cancel the Back Up document folder for every document I create ...
    2. [macOS](https://support.microsoft.com/office/collab-files/what-is-autosave)
    3. Change save frequency and where Word AutoRecovery files are stored
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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