Forum Discussion
Issue where SharePoint users see an old unsynchronised Word file
Yes, this is a known SharePoint/OneDrive sync issue. It usually happens when the local Office cache or OneDrive sync client gets out of alignment with the cloud version, causing Word to open an outdated copy in read‑only mode with Autosave disabled. Clearing the cache often resolves it, but there are other fixes worth trying.
Clear Office cache
- Close all Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Navigate to C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\16.0
- Delete or rename the OfficeFileCache folder.
- Restart Word/Excel and reopen the file.
Reset OneDrive sync
- Exit OneDrive completely.
- Delete the local sync folder or clear the cache.
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive - Restart OneDrive and resync the library.
If you’re publishing guidance for users:
- Tell them Autosave only works when the file is synced correctly via OneDrive.
- If they see read‑only or old versions, the quickest fix is to exit OneDrive, clear cache, and reopen.
One of the affected users is telling me that he does not use OneDrive. But he does delete an Office cache folder, and that appears to temporarily resolve the issue. I'm still looking for a permanent fix.
- virendrakDec 17, 2025Iron Contributor
MaximusDecimusMeridius Please check the file format. If a user is working with old formats (.doc, .xls, .ppt), AutoSave will not work. AutoSave is only supported with modern formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).
Latest formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) are required for AutoSave, co‑authoring, Office Online editing, and reliable syncing.- ChrisGray97Dec 19, 2025Copper Contributor
This was my first thought, I've seen this happen for old documents (.xls, .doc)