How AutoSave in Word Works with NetDocuments
A common point of confusion for NetDocuments users is Microsoft Word’s AutoSave feature. By default, AutoSave is enabled for files stored in the cloud — but this specifically applies to files in OneDrive and SharePoint, not NetDocuments.
The setting that actually matters for NetDocuments users is AutoRecover, found in Word’s options: “Save AutoRecover information every X minutes.” I recommend setting this to 1 minute, so Word continuously saves a local recovery copy of your document while you’re working.
How AutoRecover Works with NetDocuments
When you have a document open from NetDocuments, Word saves a temporary AutoRecover file to your local machine (typically at C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word). This file acts as a safety net in the event of a crash.
To test this, I opened document 4881-1696-5667 from NetDocuments in Word, then forcibly closed Word to simulate a crash. When I reopened Word, it detected the AutoRecover file and prompted me to save it.
I clicked Save, and my changes were successfully written back into NetDocuments — right where they belonged.
Re-enabling AutoSave via the Registry
When NetDocuments is installed, AutoSave is disabled via a registry setting — since AutoSave is designed for OneDrive and SharePoint and doesn’t apply to NetDocuments. If you ever need to re-enable it, here’s how to do it manually:
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. - Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Word\Options - Look for a value named AutoSave.
- Double-click it and change the value data from 0 to 1.
- Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
- Restart Word for the change to take effect.
Note: The 16.0 in the path applies to Office 2016 through Microsoft 365. If you’re on an older version of Office, the number may differ.
The Takeaway
Don’t rely on Word’s AutoSave toggle for your NetDocuments files. Instead, make sure AutoRecover is enabled and set to a short interval (1 minute is ideal). It’s a simple setting that can save you from losing work after an unexpected crash.