Fix Microsoft Word Slowing Down on WebDAV with Track Changes
Question details
Users need to resolve severe performance issues and freezing in Microsoft Word when editing documents hosted on a WebDAV server with Track Changes enabled.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows 10, Windows 11
- Scenario
- Editing heavily revised documents stored on a WebDAV server with the Track Changes feature enabled.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word freezes, delays text entry, and becomes intermittently unresponsive during scrolling or file interactions.
Ensure you have saved a copy of your current document to your local hard drive to prevent data loss before updating Office or modifying user profiles.
Install the Latest Microsoft 365 Updates
Since Microsoft has identified this WebDAV and Track Changes slowdown as a known bug, applying the latest official patches is the most reliable fix.
Microsoft acknowledged this specific issue affecting Windows 10 and 11 users on certain Microsoft 365 builds. The fix is rolled out in newer update channels, so ensuring your Office suite is fully up to date is highly recommended.
Launch Microsoft Word and open a blank document to access the main interface.
Click on 'File' in the top left corner, then select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.
Click on 'Update Options' under the Product Information section, and select 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu. Wait for Microsoft 365 to download and install any pending updates.
Recreate the Windows User Profile
Use this solution if the latest updates are unavailable or if the issue affects only specific users on the same network domain.
Use Temporary Workarounds
Apply these quick workarounds if you need immediate access to your document without lag and cannot perform system updates.
Experience Fast Document Editing with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with performance issues over network drives, consider trying WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for seamless document editing without the heavy resource drain.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your Windows device.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and seamlessly open your existing .docx files to continue editing without slowdowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Track Changes slow down Word on a WebDAV server?
Track Changes forces Word to continuously calculate document layout, revisions, and markup in real-time. Over WebDAV networks, this constant syncing of background data can cause severe performance bottlenecks and application freezing.
Will disabling COM add-ins fix the WebDAV slowdown?
In this specific scenario, users have reported that disabling COM add-ins or antivirus software does not resolve the issue. The root cause is tied to a local profile cache bug in Microsoft 365, which requires an official update or profile reset.
How do I know if the performance issue is tied to my Windows user profile?
If other users on the same domain can log into your computer and edit the exact same WebDAV file without any lag, or if you can log into a different PC without issues, the problem is likely isolated to your specific Windows user profile.
