Fix OneDrive AutoSave Disabled in Remote Desktop Sessions
Question details
Users are unable to use the AutoSave feature for Office documents opened from OneDrive or SharePoint in a Virtual Desktop or Remote Desktop environment.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Windows Server / Remote Desktop
- Scenario
- Opening and editing shared Office documents through File Explorer in a virtual or remote server environment.
- Observed behavior
- The AutoSave toggle appears disabled by default. Attempting to manually enable it fails to sync the original document and instead creates a duplicate copy of the file.
Ensure you have administrative access to your Windows Server or Remote Desktop environment, and confirm that your OneDrive sync app is updated to the latest version.
Enable Office Applications to Sync Files in OneDrive
Adjusting the OneDrive sync settings to let Office applications handle file syncing often resolves AutoSave conflicts.
By default, OneDrive handles file synchronization. However, when working with Office documents, delegating this task to the Office applications themselves ensures that real-time co-authoring and AutoSave functions work properly.
Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon located in the Windows taskbar or system tray, and select Settings from the context menu.
In the Settings window, click on the Office tab at the top.
Check the box that says 'Use Office applications to sync Office files that I open'.
Click OK to save the changes, then restart your Microsoft Office applications to see if AutoSave is now enabled.
Review Virtual Desktop (VDI) Requirements for OneDrive
Ensure your Remote Desktop Services (RDS) infrastructure meets Microsoft's strict virtualization requirements for the OneDrive sync app.
Use WPS Office for Seamless Document Editing
If OneDrive and Microsoft Office AutoSave issues persist in your Remote Desktop or Windows Server environment, WPS Office offers a lightweight, highly compatible, and reliable alternative for managing your documents.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office directly on your remote desktop or local machine.
- 2. Open Existing Documents: Launch WPS Office and easily open your existing Microsoft Office files without losing any formatting.
- 3. Save and Sync: Save your work locally or connect to cloud services like WPS Cloud for hassle-free synchronization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does enabling AutoSave in Remote Desktop create duplicate files?
In a Remote Desktop environment, conflicts can occur between the OneDrive sync client and Microsoft Office's real-time co-authoring feature. When the system fails to merge changes smoothly, OneDrive creates a duplicate copy of the file to prevent data loss.
Can I run the OneDrive sync app on Windows Server 2016?
Yes, but it requires specialized configuration. Running OneDrive on Windows Server environments, particularly under Remote Desktop Services (RDS), generally requires a Per-Machine installation and the use of profile containers (like FSLogix) to support syncing and AutoSave properly.
Where is the 'Office' tab in newer versions of OneDrive?
In newer versions of the OneDrive sync app, the settings interface has been updated. The option to let Office sync your files is typically found under the 'Sync and backup' or 'Advanced settings' sections within the new settings menu.
