Turn off AutoSave by default in Excel

Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7

Registry

HKCU software\policies\microsoft\office\16.0\excel

Options

autosavebydefaultadminchoice enum
  • Use AutoSave Default Setting -> 0
  • AutoSave Is On By Default -> 1
  • AutoSave Is Off By Default -> 2

Description

This policy setting allows you to turn off AutoSave by default in Excel. AutoSave automatically saves all changes a user makes to files that are stored in OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, or SharePoint Online. If you enable this policy setting, AutoSave is off by default in Excel. But, the user can enable AutoSave for Excel by going to File > Options > Save. Or, the user can enable AutoSave for a specific Excel file by using the AutoSave toggle in the title bar. If you disable or don’t configure this policy setting, AutoSave is on by default, but the user can disable AutoSave by going to File > Options > Save or by using the AutoSave toggle. Note: This policy setting only applies to subscription versions of Office, such as Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise.