SharePoint Document Issues

Fix Office AutoSave Not Working on SharePoint Network Drives

Olivia Miller Oct 12, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users are unable to use AutoSave or real-time collaboration features in Office applications when opening documents through mapped SharePoint network drives.

Fix Office AutoSave Not Working on SharePoint Network Drives

Product: Microsoft Office, SharePoint, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to collaboratively edit and automatically save Office documents hosted on SharePoint via a mapped network drive.
Observed behavior: AutoSave is disabled and real-time collaboration stops working entirely, specifically noted starting from Office version 2306.

Before you start

Verify your current Microsoft Office version in the Account settings and confirm whether you are accessing the affected documents through a mapped drive letter rather than the official OneDrive sync client.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the OneDrive Sync Client Instead of WebDAV

Bypass the outdated WebDAV protocol by opening your SharePoint or OneDrive files directly through the modern sync client to restore collaboration features.

SharePoint WebDAV network drive mappings utilize an older access method that does not fully support modern Office AutoSave and real-time collaboration features.

Transitioning to the native OneDrive sync application ensures that Office applications can communicate properly with SharePoint servers.

Disconnect the Network Drive

Open File Explorer, right-click the mapped SharePoint drive letter, and select 'Disconnect' to remove the WebDAV connection.

Access SharePoint Online

Log into your Microsoft 365 account through a web browser and navigate to the SharePoint document library you need to access.

Sync the Library

Click the 'Sync' button in the SharePoint top toolbar to connect the document library with your local OneDrive desktop application.

Open Files Locally

Open your Office files directly from the newly created SharePoint or OneDrive folder in File Explorer. AutoSave will now function normally.

Use the OneDrive Sync Client Instead of WebDAV

AutoSave Restored: Files opened directly from the OneDrive or SharePoint synced folder fully support modern AutoSave and co-authoring without synchronization errors.

Solution 2

Roll Back Your Microsoft Office Version

If your workflow strictly requires mapped network drives, rolling back to an older Office release like version 2302 may temporarily bypass the AutoSave bug.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Seamless Cloud Collaboration with WPS Office

If Microsoft Office update bugs and WebDAV mapped drive limitations are disrupting your teamwork, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with excellent format compatibility and a built-in cloud ecosystem for smooth real-time collaboration.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
3. Collaborate Instantly: Launch WPS Office, sign in to your WPS Cloud account, and start co-authoring documents without network drive errors.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Built-in WPS Cloud ensures reliable file saving and seamless real-time team collaboration.Lightweight software architecture that consumes fewer system resources.Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve for existing Office users.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does AutoSave fail on a mapped network drive?

Mapped network drives typically use the WebDAV protocol, which is an older file access method. Modern AutoSave and real-time collaboration features require newer synchronization protocols provided by the OneDrive client, causing conflicts when WebDAV is used.

Will AutoSave work if I open files directly from the browser?

Yes. Opening files directly from the SharePoint web interface or through the official OneDrive desktop sync client fully supports AutoSave and real-time document collaboration.

Which Office versions are affected by this SharePoint network drive issue?

Users have widely reported that AutoSave on WebDAV network drives broke starting with Microsoft Office version 2306 and continues into version 2307. Rolling back to version 2302 has resolved the issue for some organizations.

How do I report this mapped drive bug to Microsoft?

You can report this directly from any Office app by clicking on 'File', selecting 'Feedback', and clicking 'Send a Frown'. Be sure to mention that the issue occurs specifically with SharePoint WebDAV mapped drives on your current Office build.

Document & File Issues