Word: won't autosave - file in use

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SUMMARY

The discussion addresses an issue with Microsoft Word where the autosave feature fails due to the error message "You cannot save while the file is in use by another process." Users report that manual saving works, indicating a problem with the autosave functionality rather than the document itself. Suggestions include checking for processes that may be locking the file and running a virus scan to rule out macro viruses, especially if the document originated from another machine. Despite these efforts, the issue persists even after rebooting the computer.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Microsoft Word 365 autosave functionality
  • Familiarity with file locking mechanisms in operating systems
  • Basic knowledge of macro viruses and their implications
  • Experience with troubleshooting software issues on Windows
NEXT STEPS
  • Investigate Microsoft Word's autosave settings and configurations
  • Learn how to identify and terminate processes that may lock files in Windows
  • Research methods to detect and remove macro viruses in Word documents
  • Explore Microsoft support resources for resolving autosave issues in Word
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for Microsoft Word users, IT support professionals, and anyone troubleshooting document saving issues, particularly those related to autosave functionality and file locking problems.

DaveC426913
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Word: won't autosave - "file in use"

(This is entirely unrelated to my earlier post about a Word problem).

I'm writing in a Word doc as I've been doing for several days now. Today when I opened it up, after ten minutes (my autosave is set for ten minutes), it give me the following errors:

You cannot save while the file is in use by another process. Try saving the file by another name. And then Saving Autorecovery is postponed.

Obviously the Autosave is tryinbg to save to the write-locked doc.

Yet I have no problem saving the doc manually.

I would have thought closing the doc and the app and rebooting my computer would clear it but it's still happening. What process could start up from a reboot and be using my doc??
 
Last edited:
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Have you run a virus scan on your PC lately? If you are opening Word documents that were produced on other machines, it is possible that there is a macro virus of some type embedded in the file.
 
Last edited:
turbo-1 said:
Have you run a virus scan on your PC lately? If you are opening Word documents that were produced on other machines, it is possible that there is a macro virus of some type embedded in the file.

Good idea. I did. But it's clean.
 

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