How to Change the Server Drafts Location in Word
Question details
Users need to know how to change the Server drafts location in Microsoft Word, especially to resolve invalid path error messages.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to update the Server drafts location in Word options or trying to fix a persistent 'Server drafts location is not valid' error.
- Observed behavior
- The Server drafts location setting is obsolete in current versions of Microsoft 365 Word and is ignored by the software, but it may still display an invalid path that requires a registry modification to update or clear.
Since modifying this setting requires using the Windows Registry Editor, please ensure you back up your registry before proceeding to prevent unintended system issues.
Change the Server Drafts Location via Registry Editor
Since modern versions of Word ignore this setting in the user interface, you must use the Registry Editor to update the displayed path or fix invalid path errors.
The Server drafts location was historically used for storing offline copies of files checked out from a SharePoint server. In modern Microsoft 365 Word, this setting is obsolete. However, if you are receiving an error stating that the location is invalid, updating the registry value will resolve the popup.
Right-click the Windows Start button, select Run, type 'regedit' into the text box, and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
In the Registry Editor, browse to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Common\Offline\Options.
Look for a String Value named 'Location' in the right pane. If it does not exist, right-click an empty space, select New > String Value, and name it 'Location'.
Right-click the 'Location' string, select Modify, and enter a valid folder path (such as your current Documents folder path in File Explorer). Click OK and restart Word.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Server drafts location setting actually do?
In older versions of Microsoft Office, this setting specified the local folder where offline copies of documents checked out from a SharePoint server were temporarily saved. In current versions of Microsoft 365, the setting is obsolete and no longer used.
Why do I get a 'Server drafts location is not valid' error?
This error occurs because the Windows Registry still contains an outdated or deleted folder path linked to the obsolete server drafts feature. Modifying the registry to point to a valid folder, like your current Documents folder, will stop the error from appearing.
Can I change this setting directly inside Word's Options menu?
No. Because the feature is obsolete in modern versions of Word, any changes made directly in the Word Options dialog are often ignored by the system. You must use the Windows Registry Editor to effectively change the underlying path.
