Office Settings & Configuration

How to Turn Off the Backup This Document Banner in Microsoft Office

Huda Qurayshi Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to remove the 'Backup This Document' banner that persistently appears for new documents in Microsoft Office applications.

How to Turn Off the Backup This Document Banner in Office

Product: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating or opening new documents where Microsoft prompts the user to back them up to OneDrive.
Observed behavior: A OneDrive backup banner appears automatically, and there is no direct permanent setting provided by Microsoft to remove it.

Before you start

Before proceeding, note that disabling this banner involves changing privacy settings, which might also turn off other online features like cloud fonts and smart services.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Optional Connected Experiences in Office Settings

Turning off optional connected experiences is the most effective way to stop the OneDrive backup banner from appearing, though it affects other cloud features.

Because Microsoft Office does not offer a dedicated toggle strictly for the backup banner, you must disable optional connected experiences to prevent it from showing up.

Access Office Account Settings

Open any Microsoft Office application, such as Word or Excel. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner and select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Open Privacy Settings

Under the 'Account Privacy' section on the right, click the 'Manage Settings' button.

Disable Connected Experiences

Scroll down to the 'Optional connected experiences' section. Uncheck the box to disable them, then click 'OK' and restart the Office application.

Disable Optional Connected Experiences in Office Settings

Feature Limitations: Disabling connected experiences will also turn off features like Bing search integration, 3D models, and other Microsoft cloud-dependent services.

Solution 2

Dismiss the Banner Manually or Adjust Organizational Policies

If you need to keep connected experiences enabled or are on a company device, you may need to manage the banner manually or consult your IT admin.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Distraction-Free Editing Experience

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1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click 'Free Download' to get the installer for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Office keep asking me to back up documents?

Microsoft actively promotes its OneDrive cloud storage service. The banner is designed to encourage users to save their local documents to the cloud to prevent data loss, but it can be intrusive if you prefer saving files locally.

Can I permanently disable the OneDrive backup banner without losing other features?

Currently, Microsoft does not provide a dedicated toggle just for this banner. You must disable all optional connected experiences to hide it, which will unfortunately turn off other cloud-based tools.

Will disabling connected experiences affect my Office activation?

No, disabling optional connected experiences only affects cloud-based functionality like 3D models and Bing searches. Your Office license and basic activation status will remain unaffected.

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