Some Microsoft Word users have reported a troubling issue where the software deletes files after saving—an unexpected and serious problem, especially during critical work. Microsoft officially acknowledged the issue on October 3, 2024, though a permanent fix has not yet been provided. In the meantime, there is a temporary workaround available for those who need to continue using Word.
How the Delete-upon-Save Bug Works on Microsoft Word
This bug affects Microsoft 365 version 2409 and is triggered when files are saved with extensions in all capital letters or when the document title contains a “#” character. The issue arises when closing Word after editing such a file without manually saving it first. If prompted by Word to save the file upon closing, selecting “Save” results in the file being deleted.
Essentially, this problem only occurs when a file hasn’t been manually saved before closing Word, and the “unsaved file” warning prompt is used to save the document.
Workaround for the Deleted Files
Fortunately, files deleted due to this bug are not permanently lost. They are moved to the Recycle Bin and can be recovered from there.
To avoid this issue, it’s recommended to manually save documents before closing Word. Additionally, for extra caution, you can disable the Backstage view for opening or saving files with keyboard shortcuts. To do this, go to the File menu, click Options, then navigate to the Save tab, and check the box for “Don’t show the Backstage when opening or saving files with keyboard shortcuts.”
While Microsoft continues to investigate the cause of this bug, the workaround should help prevent any accidental file deletions.
Courtesy of PC World.
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