Users of Microsoft Word for Windows may need additional caution when backing up their work due to a rather awkward software bug.
The widely-used word processor has confirmed a bug which instead of saving files, actually ends up deleting them.
Although this is not a problem with all versions of Microsoft Word, users are advised to exercise caution when saving their work.
Microsoft stated that “users may encounter an issue” in a support page detailing the problem. where, if the file extension is capitalised in the file name, the file is erased upon saving. DOCX, .RTF, or “.
The problem, associated with Word for Microsoft 365 version 2409, build 18025.20104, appears when users close Word after making changes to the file and are subsequently asked to save.
Performing this action might result in the file disappearing, although it may wind up in the Recycle Bin, enabling its retrieval.
Microsoft’s suggestions for users grappling with this bug do not inspire much trust – they are instructed to manually save their documents before departing Word.
“Our current tests show the issue occurs after saving when prompted on clicking X to close Word. It does not currently reproduce when manually saving before close,” the support page notes, as reported by Techradar.
By selecting File > Options > Save > Don’t show the Backstage, when opening or saving files with keyboard shortcuts, users can also activate the option labelled “Don’t show the Backstage when opening or saving files with keyboard shortcuts.”
As it looks into the issue and develops a solution, Microsoft says users can also go back to a previous version of Word.
Meanwhile, Microsoft closed at USD 409.54 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.57% move. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.96%.