SharePoint Document Issues

Are SharePoint On-Premises Documents Stored in a Temporary Folder?

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

A user needs to know if opening and editing confidential documents from an on-premises SharePoint Server creates local temporary files or links on their computer.

Are SharePoint On-Premises Documents Stored in a Temporary Folder?

Product: SharePoint Server / Microsoft Office
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing confidential files stored on an on-premises SharePoint Server using local desktop applications.
Observed behavior: Seeking clarification on local temporary file caching behavior during document editing for security and compliance purposes.

Before you start

Before investigating temporary file storage, ensure you have the exact versions of your SharePoint Server and local Office applications, as caching behaviors vary across releases.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Local Caching Behavior and Consult Microsoft Support

Because caching depends heavily on your specific SharePoint and Office versions, the best approach is to check local settings and consult official Microsoft documentation or specialized forums.

SharePoint Server on-premises handles document caching differently than SharePoint Online. When you open a file directly in a desktop client, the Office application may download a temporary copy to the Office Document Cache (ODC) or the local Temp folder to facilitate auto-save and offline editing capabilities.

Because this behavior can pose security concerns for highly confidential documents, it is crucial to verify the exact workflow and client settings being used.

Identify your environment specifics

Note your SharePoint Server version (e.g., 2016, 2019, Subscription Edition) and the local Office desktop version (e.g., Office 2019, Microsoft 365). This information dictates how files are cached.

Check local cache settings

Open your Office application (like Word or Excel), navigate to File > Options > Save, and review the 'Offline editing options for Document Management Server files' section to see where files might be saved locally.

Post your scenario to Microsoft Q&A

Since on-premises setups vary wildly, visit the Microsoft Q&A platform, navigate to the SharePoint Server section, and post your specific workflow (versions and document-opening method) to get definitive security answers from Microsoft engineers.

Verify Local Caching Behavior and Consult Microsoft Support

Security Tip: If you require strict zero-footprint editing, consider enforcing Office Online Server (OOS) for browser-based editing so that no files are downloaded to local machines.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Office Online Server leave temporary files on the client machine?

No. When users edit documents via the web browser using Office Online Server (OOS), the processing happens entirely on the server, leaving no temporary document files on the local computer.

Where is the Office Document Cache usually located?

By default, the Office Document Cache is typically located in the user's AppData folder, specifically at C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\[Version]\OfficeFileCache.

Can I disable local caching for SharePoint documents?

Yes, administrators can configure Office Group Policies or adjust the 'Offline editing options for Document Management Server files' in the Office Trust Center settings to minimize local data retention.

Document & File Issues