File Sharing Problems

How to Stop Word and Excel from Creating Temporary Files in Google Drive

Olivia Miller Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users experience repeated creation of lingering temporary files when opening or saving Microsoft 365 Word and Excel documents stored in a Google Drive-synchronized folder.

How to Stop Word and Excel from Creating Temporary Files in Google Drive

Product: Microsoft 365 Word and Excel
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Editing and saving Microsoft Office documents located within a folder actively synchronized by Google Drive.
Observed behavior: Temporary files (often starting with '~$' or '.tmp') are repeatedly generated while documents are open and are not automatically deleted upon saving or closing, resulting in folder clutter.

Before you start

Ensure your Google Drive desktop application and Microsoft Office are updated to their latest versions, as outdated software can often cause synchronization conflicts.

Solution 1Recommended

Test in Windows Safe Mode and Disable Office Add-ins

Running Windows in Safe Mode helps determine if background applications or third-party Office add-ins are causing the file conflict.

Third-party add-ins can sometimes interfere with how Word and Excel handle temporary files during the save process, preventing them from being deleted as intended.

Boot to Safe Mode

Restart your computer and boot into Windows Safe Mode to prevent unnecessary background apps from launching.

Test File Save

Open the affected Word or Excel document from your Google Drive folder and attempt to save it. Check if the temporary files persist.

Disable COM Add-ins

If no temporary files remain in Safe Mode, restart your PC normally. Open Word or Excel, navigate to File > Options > Add-ins.

Manage Add-ins

Select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage drop-down menu at the bottom and click 'Go'. Uncheck all third-party add-ins, click OK, and restart the application.

Test in Windows Safe Mode and Disable Office Add-ins

Add-in Isolation: If disabling all add-ins resolves the issue, re-enable them one by one to identify which specific add-in is causing the conflict.

Solution 2

Isolate Antivirus and Synchronization Conflicts

Antivirus software or the Google Drive client itself might lock the temporary files before Office can delete them.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management

If Microsoft Office continues to conflict with Google Drive and creates unwanted temporary files, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for opening, editing, and saving your documents without frustrating synchronization glitches.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and click 'Open' to select the file directly from your Google Drive folder.
3. Edit and Save: Edit your document normally; WPS Office will efficiently handle saving without leaving persistent temporary files.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formatsFewer conflicts with third-party cloud synchronization tools like Google DriveLightweight application that uses fewer system resourcesClean, familiar tabbed interface for a seamless migration experience

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Word and Excel create temporary files?

Office applications create temporary files (usually starting with '~$' or ending in '.tmp') to manage memory, prevent data loss, and handle auto-recovery while a file is being edited. Typically, these files are deleted automatically once the document is closed properly.

Can I manually delete these temporary files from Google Drive?

Yes, if the original Word or Excel document is completely closed and saved, you can safely delete the lingering temporary files from your Google Drive folder without affecting your data.

Is it Google Drive or Microsoft Office causing the issue?

The issue is usually caused by a conflict between the two. Google Drive may attempt to sync the temporary file at the exact moment Office is trying to delete it, locking the file and resulting in it being permanently left behind.

Document & File Issues