Getting "Want to save your changes" in Word without my having made any changes

PurpleQ 135

On 2 Windows 11 computers in the past few weeks, when closing a document in Word I've been getting "Want to save your changes" without my having made any changes. The Save pop-up appears if I've had the document open for 1 minute, but not for open times that are much less than one minute.

Various workarounds have been suggested for this problem over the past decade, but this problem has only recently showed up for me, and on 2 computers, so there may be a new problem created by an update. I've tried the workaround of going to File > Options > Advanced > General and verified that the box for "Prompt before saving Normal template" is not checked. I'm using version 2509 (Build 19231.20194 Click-to-Run).

Word offering to save is a problem for 2 reasons:

(1) If one choose Save when NO changes have been made, the file will now have a new save timestamp, which makes the content seem more recent than it is.

(2) If the prompt to save is ignored and there ARE changes, these will be lost.

The prompt is most useful if it alerts the user if and only if there are changes to be saved.

Are others finding this is starting to happen to them too? Are there workarounds to stop it?

Moderator note: Locking this thread after the original poster has indicated that the issue has been resolved in version 2506. See the Recommended Answer. Anyone who still sees the issue or later finds that it has returned, feel free to start a new thread (include a link to the current thread).

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

Michael Butterfield 85 Reputation points

2025-11-29T12:03:44.4333333+00:00

This is a BUG. This is also a security risk. This was introduced recently by Microsoft and they need to fix it.

Why is it a security risk? If you ignore the "save dialog" and click "Don't Save", very often, the next time you go to open the document you get the message that something occurred and you are opening a temporary version of the document (forgetting, but its something like an .asx extension). This is definitely a HUGE security risk; many of my documents are password protected. When it goes to open the temporary document, all security fences (passwords) are ignored and the document is exposed to whoever is looking at the screen. A bad actor could force a reboot of your machine and the next time the machine is unlocked, they could open the document and get access to it. Its not too hard to do.
Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-11-29T13:06:17.3166667+00:00

All the more reason to report this to Microsoft via Help | Feedback.
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2025-11-29T13:32:33.4666667+00:00

This was already reported 25 days ago at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/79aa3d8a-f8b8-f011-aa43-7c1e526e4a18, referencing this thread.

Is there some way of nudging Microsoft to act on such problems, or is the MVP advice to file duplicate reports?
Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-11-29T15:34:00.0233333+00:00

@PurpleQ, you can vote for an existing report. You can also post it again, of course. The more attention it gets, the better. However, note that Microsoft may decide that this is by design or caused by third-party drivers, since the problem doesn't affect all users.
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2025-12-09T12:36:01.02+00:00

This bug is really annoying - I'm currently working on an important document and am constantly worried that I might accidentally have hit a key.

I've now realized that the error only occurs when my PC is connected to the internet - but that's not a solution.

Edit: Unfortunately, I cannot reliably replicate the observation. The error now also occurs when my computer is disconnected from the Internet.
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-02T15:10:35.95+00:00

There are already two tickets for this bug on Microsoft's feedback portal to vote up:

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/946d0bd8-86af-f011-aa43-7c1e529756a0

https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/idea/79aa3d8a-f8b8-f011-aa43-7c1e526e4a18
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-06T11:24:20.6266667+00:00

I have now noticed that a progress bar flashes briefly in the bottom bar of Word, indicating that Word is performing an operation. The progress bar only flashes briefly, which is why it can only be seen when editing a complex document. Since the message is only visible for a very short time, I cannot say with certainty what Word is doing exactly (Counting the words in the document? Numbering the pages of the document?)

Whatever Word is doing, this seems to be the reason why Word detects changes to the document and asks if they should be saved. After the progress bar is complete, Word indicates that there are changes that have not yet been saved.
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-06T11:31:43.2533333+00:00

I can only speak for myself, but unfortunately the bug is still present on my devices.

Word Version 2512 (Build 19530.20074)
Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-06T13:21:36.3866667+00:00

If you are seeing this when you first open the document, it is that Word is repaginating. You can shortcut the process by pressing Ctrl+End, but that won't affect any "save changes" notices.
Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-06T15:51:21.6533333+00:00

I am on version 2511 here, and I am not seeing the issue.

As far as I know, 2512 is a preview version of Office (see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/current-channel-preview ).
Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-07T09:39:56.65+00:00

Yes, I was also a little confused that version 2511 is listed as the most recent update on Microsoft's support page.

However, I don't think I have a preview version of Office; I'm using the current channel:
Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-07T10:38:40.6333333+00:00

Thanks for the screen shot. It has been reported in the past that version numbers may be slightly different, even for users on the same "update channel."
Michael Butterfield 85 Reputation points

2026-01-15T15:54:54.0133333+00:00

To all that followed up; thank you. The fix for me was disabling co-pilot. The bigger picture that software developers enable features by default without asking the user if they want the feature (never mind the feature, co-pilot, caused the issue). Secondarily, the software developers re-enable features that you have deactivated. Posting this on Microsoft's website cannot fix a methodology. This needs to come from within the meetings of the software developer. Developers; ask yourself, is this what I would want.
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-01-15T16:03:18.1733333+00:00

I've tried several ways of turning off Copilot but I don't see any such functionality except in Edge. It is possible that I turned off Copilot in the early days, but I still have the fake save problem described in this thread.
Michael Butterfield 85 Reputation points

2026-01-15T16:15:58.1933333+00:00

Just open a new blank document and then...
File - Options (lower left) - CoPilot
Uncheck "enable"
Rambler 5 Reputation points

2026-01-15T17:15:16.3366667+00:00

Sounds simple but the Co-Pilot tab in settings doesn't exist for me either. Have seen pictures of it so know exactly where it should be, Office saying I'm fully up to date.
Jeff Stucker 35 Reputation points

2026-01-15T17:25:27.69+00:00

So you don't have this options screen available? Here's where I unchecked "Enable Copilot" to fix the save issue.

What version are you on? Here's my version
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-01-15T17:35:55.34+00:00

My version of Word is newer (Version 2512 (Build 19530.20074 Click-to-Run), but I don't have a Copilot option between Proofing and Save.
Eric Haas 5 Reputation points

2026-01-15T19:32:14.0366667+00:00

on Word for Mac, upon opening file Word shows the filename & character count in the lower left corner - and one can close the file without being asked to save. As soon as that info turns to Page # / words / language (after a few seconds), it asks to save. Hope this helps MS pinpoint bug
Charles Kenyon 171.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-02-24T18:26:27.1233333+00:00

@PurpleQ I see in the forum that you made a comment today, but I can't find it.
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-02-24T19:35:09.7+00:00

I commented the comment by Jennifer Barlow "I can't see a Copilot section in Options either. MS 365 Apps for Business v2601. I'd love to know how to get around this issue." to say that I can't see a Copilot section in Options either, and as the Original Poster I'm not marking this as solved until I and others such as Jennifer Barlow have this fixed.

I can't find Jennifer Barlow's comment or mine - I don't know if these are buried or deleted, but thanks for the opportunity to clarify this.
Charles Kenyon 171.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-02-24T20:00:41.77+00:00

Hi @PurpleQ ,

I believe the "for Business" subscriptions do not have this CoPilot option. It has to be done through your IT department. I am currently on version 2602 and am not seeing the problem, but I am on a personal subscription.

And I have complained about how confusing these threads can be. It took me 15 minutes to find your newest comment.
PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-02-24T20:07:35.2833333+00:00

If indeed the Business subscriptions are missing Copilot and therefore the Business subscriptions are unable to use the fix for the Save bug discussed in this thread it should motivate Microsoft to fix the Save bug so as not to torment its higher paying customers, which is not just unwise but potentially embarassing.

Answer recommended by moderator

PurpleQ 135

This problem seems to be fixed in Version 2605 (Build 20026.20168) on Windows 11 version 25H2 (Build 26200.8655).

PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-06-19T09:54:04.08+00:00

It seems that Microsoft has built this forum with the assumption that acceptable answers can only come from people other than the Original Poster. How can I indicate that I accept my answer? Perhaps a moderator can do so, or perhaps someone else can reply that they too find that the problem is fixed and I can accept that answer.
Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-06-19T18:58:54.49+00:00

Thanks for the follow-up. I'll mark your reply as a Recommended Answer.

14 additional answers

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Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-07T16:24:41.8066667+00:00

Thanks, Suzanne! The tip to disable Copilot has solved the problem for me.

After I disabled Copilot, the progress bar that flashed briefly also disappeared.
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2 people found this answer helpful.
Charles Kenyon 171.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-07T18:39:53.14+00:00

I changed most of your posts to comments but left this one as an Answer. The forum would not let me recommend it so I made a note about it in the previously recommended Answer from Stefan Blom.

PurpleQ 135 Reputation points

2026-01-07T22:19:11.2233333+00:00

I am the original poster and on version 2512 but I don't see any option for copilot so I can't consider this solved. I've searched for various instructions on how to change this copilot setting and none show up in Office documents.

I vaguely remember turning off copilot many months ago, and I see copilot in Edge, but not in Office programs.

Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-07T22:32:28.5333333+00:00

@PurpleQ, I removed the Recommended Answer "flag" from my reply.

Hippolyt 45 Reputation points

2026-01-08T11:05:07.3866667+00:00

@Charles Kenyon That's fine! I'm not a regular poster here, that's why I didn't see the difference between “comment” and “answer” at first. Thank you!
Airhart, Marc G 0 Reputation points

2026-01-15T15:40:29.86+00:00

I'm having the same issue with Word on a MAC. Super annoying. I'd actually like the "last saved" date on the file to reflect when I actually made changes, not when I last opened it. This bug is super annoying!
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Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-15T17:42:27.46+00:00

@Marc, please start a separate thread since you are on a different version of Word. For what it is worth, "Last saved" has never been reliable in Word.
Bob M 0 Reputation points

2026-01-31T09:12:09.5633333+00:00

I'm having the same problem on a Mac as well. I also use Windows on a laptop and have to work between both Mac and Windows versions. I use the last saved date to check the most unto date copy. Let's hope Microsoft solve this ASAP - after all we do pay an annual fee for the use of this!
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Peter Brendel 0 Reputation points

2026-02-24T15:32:33.6+00:00

Switch off Copilot, then the request does not come in any longer.