Trying to connect message when Saving in Excel 365

Hello,

Our developers have been able to identify the root cause of this issue. We will provide updates as soon as there is a known fix coming up.

There is a workaround that you can do instead of downgrading to an older version, which is turning off the Web Client service in Windows Services. You can find and disable this service by doing a search for "Services" and opening up the Services application. Then, do a search for "Web Client", right click and select "Properties" and then change "Startup type" to "Disabled".

This will help you in the meantime, I hope you find it useful.

Thank you,

Best regards,

The issue is with the WebClient service (Webdav).

A wireshark trace shows that the client is attempting to reach the file server on port 80 instead of port 445.

Disabling the WebClient service resolves the issue, and is a simple matter to push out via GPO, but of course is only a workaround.

I confirmed this is only happening in the latest build of office. In previous versions of office, the client does not attempt port 80, and opening or saving files to the file server happens quickly and without any issue.

This needs to be patched.

A quick workaround. Instead of going through "File --> Save As", just hit the F12 button on the keyboard. This bypasses the Office interface and puts you straight in a standard Windows dialog box at the current working folder. No rolling back software, playing with services, registry hacks required.

I found this workaround somewhere on Stack Exchange. I wish I could remember where.

After posting my comment, I kept digging and discovered the issue is with DFS. Our default folder within the Excel Options for SAVE is

\InternalDomain\Data*department*\

If I change this value to a local drive such as C:\users*UserName*\Documents\ There is no sluggish response as long as I do everything local.

If I create an old fashion drive mapping such as N: to \ServerName*ShareName*\ There is no sluggish response.

Prior to my original post, I ran a full repair on my Office 365 software. My current build for Excel s:

The error message the users receive:

This message displays when the users select File, Save As, then click Browse if their default Save path is set to a DFS value.

If the user's default SAVE path in Excel Options is set for a local drive, this message displays when the user selects File, Open, then selects the DFS path.

Since we now know the problem is DFS related, our attention has turned to this area.

We are also looking into the suggestion of reverting back to an earlier release of Excel as suggested.

I validated on 3 systems that the Beta 2211 version does indeed fix the issue... finally! I've been rolling it out only to those who need it. The switch can be made by either allowing the user to switch it manually or via command line:

Update the following registry keys (cmd line entry method):

reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officechannelexposure /v betachannel /t REG_DWORD /d 1

reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officechannelexposure /v currentpreview /t REG_DWORD /d 1

reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officechannelexposure /v current /t REG_DWORD /d 1

reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officechannelexposure /v monthlyenterprise /t REG_DWORD /d 1

For some reason, when I add: Enterprise SemiAnnual and SemiAnnualPreview to the registry, it does not show up as an option in the steps below. This must be done manually.

Change Channel in Office:

Open any office app (Word, Excel, etc.)

Select File > Account > Update Channel

Check the fox for I will manage my Office update channel

Select the channel in the dropdown

Check the **Check for and apply updates for Office,**then OK

Office will download and install the newly selected version.

Manually via command line:

To change to another channel, enter one of the following lines:

c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRunOffice\C2RClient.exe /changesetting Channel=BetaChannel

c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRunOffice\C2RClient.exe /changesetting Channel=CurrentPreview

c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRunOffice\C2RClient.exe /changesetting Channel=Current

c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRunOffice\C2RClient.exe /changesetting Channel=MonthlyEnterprise

c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRunOffice\C2RClient.exe /changesetting Channel=SemiAnnualPreview

c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRunOffice\C2RClient.exe /changesetting Channel=SemiAnnual

Seal the deal (this will initiate an update and install of the new Office version):

1

c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun\OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user