How to Fix Office 365 Keeping SharePoint WebDAV Files Locked
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where Office 365 keeps files locked for an hour after saving them to a SharePoint WebDAV-mapped library.
- Product
- Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Saving and reopening files located in a SharePoint WebDAV document library.
- Observed behavior
- Files remain locked for about an hour after saving. They appear unavailable or open as read-only in recent Office 365 builds, whereas older versions function correctly.
Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer to modify Office installation versions and run command-line tools.
Roll Back Office 365 and Disable Updates
Reverting to an earlier, stable build of Office 365 bypasses the bug causing the one-hour WebDAV file lock.
Recent updates to Office 365 (such as version 2306, build 16529.20182) introduced a bug affecting WebDAV-mapped SharePoint libraries. Rolling back your Office installation to a previous version is currently the most effective workaround until an official patch is released.
Open any Office application like Word or Excel. Navigate to File > Account, click on 'Update Options', and select 'Disable Updates' to prevent Office from reinstalling the problematic version.
Click the Windows Start menu, type 'cmd' in the search bar, right-click 'Command Prompt', and choose 'Run as administrator'.
Use the Office Deployment Tool command by typing `"C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.XXXXX.XXXXX` (replace the Xs with your previous stable build number) and press Enter to revert the installation.
Avoid Update Glitches with WPS Office
If recent Office 365 updates are causing file locks and disrupting your team's workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It's a stable, free alternative that lets you edit documents seamlessly without being forced into buggy software updates.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your computer.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Set WPS Office as your default application to seamlessly open and edit your existing Microsoft Office files without locking issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my SharePoint WebDAV files open as read-only after saving?
This issue is caused by a known bug in recent Office 365 updates (such as version 2306). The server incorrectly keeps the file locked for approximately one hour after you save and close it.
Will upgrading to the newest Office version fix the file lock issue?
If the issue was introduced in the latest patch, upgrading won't help until Microsoft releases a specific fix. Instead, you need to roll back to a previous build and disable automatic updates.
Is SharePoint Online affected by this file locking bug?
Yes, multiple users have confirmed that the one-hour file lock issue affects SharePoint Online document libraries mapped via WebDAV when using the affected builds of Office 365.
