How to Save Word .wbk Backup Files in a Separate Folder
Question details
The user wants to configure Microsoft Word to automatically save its .wbk backup files in a designated directory instead of the original document's folder.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating, editing, and saving Word documents locally with the backup copy option enabled.
- Observed behavior
- Word saves the .wbk backup file in the exact same directory as the original .docx file by default, with no built-in application setting to redirect these backup files to a different folder.
Ensure you have the 'Always create backup copy' option enabled in your Word settings if you want to generate .wbk files. Be cautious when using automated scripts to move files, as it could impact your document recovery processes.
Move .wbk Files Using a Windows Batch Script
Since Word lacks a built-in feature to redirect backup files, you can use a simple Windows batch script to periodically move .wbk files to a separate folder.
Microsoft 365 does not offer a native setting to change the backup file location for .wbk files. However, a batch script can automate the cleanup of your working directories by moving all .wbk files to a centralized backup folder.
This method is ideal for users who save files locally and want to keep their desktop or project folders free of backup file clutter.
Create a designated backup folder on your computer where you want the files to live, such as C:\WordBackups.
Open the standard Windows Notepad application and type the following command, replacing the paths with your actual folder locations: move /y "C:\YourWorkingFolder\*.wbk" "C:\WordBackups\".
Click 'File' > 'Save As', select 'All Files' from the file type dropdown, and save the document with a .bat extension, such as MoveBackups.bat.
Double-click the newly created .bat file whenever you want to instantly clean up your directory by moving the .wbk files to the separate folder.
Use a Word VBA Macro to Save Backups Separately
Advanced users can utilize a VBA macro to automatically save a copy of the active document to a different directory whenever a save action is triggered.
Seamlessly Manage Document Backups with WPS Office
Unlike Microsoft Word, which clutters your working folders with .wbk files, WPS Office offers an intelligent built-in Backup Management feature. It automatically saves and organizes all your document backups into a dedicated, centralized folder of your choice.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office, then open the WPS Writer application.
- 2. Access Options: Click on 'Menu' in the top left corner of the interface and select 'Options'.
- 3. Find Backup Settings: Navigate to the 'General and Save' tab on the left panel and locate the 'Backup Options' section.
- 4. Open Backup Management: Click on 'Backup Management' to view all your document safety copies neatly organized in a centralized, separate folder.
- 5. Customize Backup Path: Modify the default backup directory within settings if needed, ensuring your safety copies never clutter your desktop or original working folders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there .wbk files appearing on my desktop?
If you save a Word document to your desktop and have the 'Always create backup copy' option enabled in your Word options under 'Advanced' > 'Save', Word will automatically generate a .wbk file in the exact same location as your original document.
Does Microsoft 365 still use .wbk backup files?
Yes, if you save files locally to your hard drive and have the backup setting checked, Microsoft 365 continues to generate .wbk files. However, if your default save location is OneDrive, it relies on modern AutoSave and Version History features instead.
Can I safely delete .wbk files without losing my original document?
Yes, .wbk files are simply backup copies of the document's previous save state. Deleting them will clean up your folder and will not affect your original .docx file, though you will lose the ability to revert to that specific backup.
