Upon new MS365 install I cannot set a save to my location in file -options-save

Ainsley Hill 40 Reputation points
2026-08-20T20:28:27.4933333+00:00

I am able to change save to a local place in excel and word on my other pc.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows
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John Jefferson Doyon 87,160 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-21T23:38:53.3933333+00:00

Thank you for letting me know.

I suggest uninstalling all Office apps first, then reinstalling them via the Services and Subscription page.

Before installing, it’s a good idea to uninstall all existing versions of Office to avoid conflicts. 

Here’s how:

  • Open the Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
  • Look for any version of Microsoft Office or Office apps, right-click, then choose Uninstall. Please uninstall all Office apps.
  • Once that’s done, restart your computer just to be safe.

Then, to reinstall Microsoft Office:

  • Go to https://account.microsoft.com/services again.
  • Sign in using the same Microsoft account linked to your license.
  • Find your Microsoft 365 Subscription and click the "Install". 
  • That will download the installer for the Office apps, just run it and follow the steps.

If anything’s unclear or the "Install" option still doesn’t show, feel free to let me know. I’ll be happy to walk you through it!

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks!

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John Jefferson Doyon 87,160 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-08-21T21:59:45.2266667+00:00

Thanks for the additional details.

Before changing anything further, I’d like to confirm the Microsoft 365 license on this PC.

  1. Where did you purchase Microsoft 365: directly from Microsoft, or from a retailer/PC manufacturer?
  2. Please sign in here using the same Microsoft account used in Word and Excel: https://account.microsoft.com/services Do you see your Microsoft 365 subscription listed there? If yes, what exact subscription name does it show?

Click "Add comment" to let me know.

Thanks!

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  1. Ainsley Hill 40 Reputation points
    2026-08-21T23:32:34.2666667+00:00

    I am downloading from MS.

    MS 365 info.pdf [link removed to protect privacy]

    Actually MS 365 Family

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  2. Ainsley Hill 40 Reputation points
    2026-08-21T20:53:28.23+00:00

    Test results.pdf

    No luck per attachment

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  3. John Jefferson Doyon 87,160 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-21T20:25:13.9933333+00:00

    Thanks for the screenshot. The error points to the Server drafts location, not the Default local file location.

    Please try this:

    • In File Explorer, create a folder inside Documents called Office Drafts.
    • Go back to File > Options > Save.
    • Under Server drafts location, enter the full path to that new folder, for example:

    C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents\Office Drafts

    • Click OK and restart Excel.
    • Then try changing your Default local file location again.

    Since you are getting the same error in both Excel and Word, this appears to be an Office-wide setting rather than an Excel-only issue.

    Let me know whether adding a valid Server drafts location allows you to click OK without the error.

    Thanks!

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