If this question has been answered elsewhere, please just direct me to it.




I recently started using Word 365 on a new laptop. My old standby was Word 2013 and Win7. I was in the habit of backing up my files to an external drive or other means rather than any "cloud" locations.


I now get messages telling me about on-line versions or "server versions" of files I'm working on in Word. What I desire is to have NO versions of my files sent anywhere in the cloud unless I specifically send them. I want my files to be kept in my laptop and any attached drives, and nowhere else.

• Is there a setting I can use to "turn off" any connection with "the cloud," "servers" and the like and return control of my documents to me alone?
• Or am I using the wrong version of Word?
• Or is there another way out of my dilemma?
• Am I correct in thinking that Word 365 is a "subscription" program? i.e., will I be prompted to "renew" sometime after a year has elapsed (hence "365)? It hasn't been a year yet.
• Or should I go back to WordPerfect? (semi-serious)

From an old guy who's been using various computers for at least 35 years
Rick Joslin

You can use File > Options > Save
Set your Word to save to your local computer by default.

Charles has explained how to set the local drive as the default save location in the Office applications.

If you want to stop synchronizing with OneDrive completely, unlink your PC from OneDrive. See the "Unlink OneDrive from your computer" section of the article Turn off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive - Microsoft Support.

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Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thanks a lot for your help!! It took me a while to find the OneDrive settings icon (had to start in the "hidden icons" area, but finally found it and "unlinked." I felt better the moment I "unlinked"


Purely for my edification, can you tell me why I would or should WANT to be linked with OneDrive? I'm sure I must have clicked on something that gave (whoever) permission to copy my files to the cloud. I would rather it had been something to opt into rather than having to opt out.

To synchronize with OneDrive is the default when you sign in to your PC with a Microsoft account. Of course, using cloud storage does offer some extra safety, because you are not 100% dependent on your local drive. But the main thing is likely that Microsoft want to promote their online storage.

Personally, I prefer to save locally. That way, if something goes wrong, and I lose data, I have nobody else to blame than myself. :-)

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Microsoft is pushing OneDrive at every turn. See also, Just try to configure a Win11 machine to NOT use Microsoft Edge.

You did not do anything to set this.
Microsoft really wants to sell everyone on OneDrive. They set the default for 365 to put everything there.