Document Editing Problems

How to Permanently Turn Off Track Changes in Microsoft Word

Huda Qurayshi Oct 1, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to permanently disable Track Changes in Microsoft Word because hidden markup keeps reappearing when the document is reopened.

How to Permanently Turn Off Track Changes in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Collaborating on or editing Word documents where Track Changes is active or markup persists despite hiding it.
Observed behavior: Selecting 'No Markup' only temporarily hides the changes. Upon reopening, the Track Changes and markup reappear, and the Reviewing indicator remains active.

Before you start

Ensure you have the authority to accept or reject changes in the document, especially if it is a shared file or part of a strict collaborative workflow.

Solution 1Recommended

Accept or Reject All Revisions and Disable Track Changes

This is the standard and most effective method to permanently remove markup and stop Word from tracking future changes.

Many users mistakenly select 'No Markup' thinking it removes the changes. However, this only hides them from view. To permanently turn off Track Changes, you must resolve all existing edits and explicitly toggle the tracking feature off.

Open the Review Tab

Open the document in Microsoft Word and navigate to the 'Review' tab located on the top ribbon.

Resolve Existing Changes

In the Changes group, click the drop-down arrow under 'Accept' and choose 'Accept All Changes' (or choose 'Reject All Changes' if you wish to discard them).

Disable Tracking

Click the 'Track Changes' button in the Tracking group so that it is no longer highlighted. This completely disables the tracking feature.

Save the Document

Press 'Ctrl + S' or go to 'File' > 'Save' to apply the settings permanently.

Accept or Reject All Revisions and Disable Track Changes

Changes Applied: Once all changes are accepted and tracking is disabled before saving, the document will open cleanly without markup next time.

Solution 2

Modify Template Settings and Stop Sharing

Use this method if Track Changes keeps turning back on automatically for specific files.

Solution 3

Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

If the issue persists across multiple legacy documents, it may require investigation by the Microsoft Word development team.

Manage Track Changes with WPS Office

Use WPS Writer to Manage and Turn Off Track Changes

WPS Office offers a highly compatible and intuitive word processor that makes it easy to handle tracked changes in Microsoft Word documents. You can quickly accept or reject modifications, turn off tracking, and save the document without hidden markup reappearing.

1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your Microsoft Word document (.docx).
2. Go to the Review Tab: Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top menu bar.
3. Accept All Changes: Click the 'Accept' dropdown and select 'Accept All Changes in Document'.
4. Turn Off Track Changes: Click the 'Track Changes' icon to ensure it is turned off (the icon should not have a highlighted background).
5. Save Your File: Press 'Ctrl + S' to save the document permanently without any residual markup.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) formatsEasily accept, reject, and manage tracked changesClean and intuitive Review tab interfaceFree and lightweight alternative to Microsoft 365

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Track Changes keep turning back on when I reopen my document?

This often happens if the document is linked to a template that has Track Changes enabled by default, or if it is a shared document where collaborative settings force tracking. You must accept all changes and save the template or turn off sharing to resolve it.

What is the difference between 'No Markup' and turning off Track Changes?

'No Markup' simply hides the edits from your screen for easier reading, but the changes and tracking remain active in the background. Turning off Track Changes entirely stops new edits from being recorded.

Can I remove all track changes at once instead of one by one?

Yes, you can remove them all simultaneously by going to the Review tab, clicking the dropdown arrow under the Accept or Reject button, and selecting the option to 'Accept All Changes in Document' or 'Reject All'.

How do I know if Track Changes is currently active?

You can tell Track Changes is active if the 'Track Changes' button in the Review tab is highlighted. Additionally, if you type or delete text and see colored underlines or strikethroughs, the feature is still actively recording your edits.

Document & File Issues