SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix Safari Downloading Empty Preload File from SharePoint

Phi Hung Vo Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Mac users experience a bug in Safari where attempting to open a SharePoint file or folder downloads a 0 KB file named 'preload' instead of displaying the actual content.

How to Fix Safari Downloading Empty Preload File from SharePoint

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Opening files, document libraries, or folders in SharePoint using the Safari browser on Apple devices.
Observed behavior: An empty 0 KB file named 'preload' is downloaded automatically, and the requested SharePoint content fails to open on the initial attempt.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac has a stable internet connection and save any unsaved work in your active browser tabs before clearing Safari website data or restarting the browser.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Browser Data and Update Safari

Refreshing the browser connection, clearing cached data, and updating system software typically resolves compatibility glitches between Safari and SharePoint.

This is a known compatibility glitch between macOS Safari and Microsoft SharePoint scripts. In many cases, the issue resolves itself upon a simple page reload, but clearing cache and updating ensures a more permanent fix.

Retry opening the file

Simply refresh the SharePoint page or click the document/folder link a second time. The preload file issue often occurs only on the first click of the day.

Test in a Private Window

Open Safari, navigate to the top menu bar, and click File > New Private Window. Log into your SharePoint account and attempt to open the file to see if extensions or cached data are causing the issue.

Clear SharePoint website data

In Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Privacy and click on 'Manage Website Data'. Use the search bar to find 'microsoft' or 'sharepoint', select the entries, and click 'Remove'.

Update macOS and Safari

Click the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update. Install any pending macOS updates, as these often include critical bug fixes for the Safari browser.

Report to Microsoft: If the problem continues after updates, report the recurring behavior via the SharePoint feedback portal, as Microsoft frequently deploys backend patches for Safari compatibility.

Solution 2

Use an Alternative Supported Browser

If Safari continues to download the preload file, using a different browser guarantees uninterrupted access to your SharePoint files while waiting for an official patch.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Edit Your Documents Smoothly on Mac with WPS Office

If browser compatibility issues with SharePoint and Microsoft Office are slowing down your workflow on Mac, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, native macOS app experience without relying on a web browser to view, edit, and manage your documents.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free macOS version.
2. Install on your Mac: Open the downloaded package and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and open your downloaded SharePoint documents locally for a smooth editing experience.

Native macOS application free from browser-based downloading glitchesHighly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight architecture that runs smoothly on both Apple silicon and Intel MacsFamiliar user interface ensuring a seamless transition from Microsoft Office

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Safari download an empty preload file from SharePoint?

This happens due to a compatibility glitch between Safari's download manager and the JavaScript used by SharePoint. When SharePoint prepares a file or folder for opening, Safari mistakenly interprets the background preparation command as a direct download request, resulting in an empty 0 KB file.

Is my SharePoint data lost when a 0 KB file downloads?

No, your data is completely safe. The 'preload' file is just an empty placeholder generated by the browser glitch. Your actual files and folders remain intact on the Microsoft SharePoint servers.

Can I permanently stop Safari from downloading the preload file?

Because this is an active software compatibility issue between Apple and Microsoft, there is no single toggle to permanently disable it. The best prevention is keeping macOS and Safari updated, as both companies release periodic patches to resolve these specific browser rendering glitches.

Document & File Issues