Excel Autosave Creates Conflicting Copies on OneDrive: Fix

You open an Excel workbook saved on OneDrive and find multiple files named “Conflicting Copy” or “Copy of” in the same folder. This happens when Excel’s Autosave feature and OneDrive’s sync engine both try to save changes at the same time, or when the file is left open on another device. The root cause is a conflict between the local Excel file and the cloud version, often triggered by network interruptions or simultaneous edits. This article explains why conflicting copies appear and provides three reliable methods to stop them from being created.

Why Excel Creates Conflicting Copies on OneDrive

Excel’s Autosave feature automatically saves changes every few seconds when a workbook is stored on OneDrive or SharePoint. OneDrive also syncs files continuously in the background. When both processes try to write to the same file at nearly the same time, the sync engine detects a difference between the local copy and the cloud version. OneDrive then renames the local copy as “Conflicting Copy” and keeps the cloud version as the primary file. This conflict occurs most often in these scenarios:

Network interruptions during Autosave

If your internet connection drops for even a second while Excel is saving, the local file may not match the cloud version. OneDrive flags the mismatch and creates a conflict copy.

Workbook open on multiple devices

When you leave a workbook open on your desktop and then open it on your laptop, both instances attempt to save. OneDrive sees two different modified versions and creates a conflict copy for the one that saves second.

Shared workbook with co-authoring enabled

If two people edit the same cell at the same time, Excel cannot merge the changes. OneDrive creates a conflict copy for the second save. This is by design to prevent data loss, but the extra files clutter your folder.

Steps to Stop Conflicting Copies From Being Created

Apply these methods in the order listed. Start with the simplest fix and test after each step.

Method 1: Disable Autosave for the Problem Workbook

Turning off Autosave for a specific workbook stops Excel from saving automatically while you work. You must save manually with Ctrl+S.

1. Open the workbook that creates conflicting copies
   Make sure the workbook is the active file in Excel.
2. Go to File > Options > Save
   In the Save category, look for the section labeled “Save workbooks.”
3. Uncheck “Save AutoRecover information every X minutes”
   This disables Autosave for the current workbook. Click OK to confirm.
4. Save the workbook manually with Ctrl+S
   After making changes, press Ctrl+S to save. OneDrive will sync the single save without conflict.

Method 2: Stop OneDrive From Syncing the Workbook Folder

If disabling Autosave does not stop the copies, pause OneDrive sync for the folder containing the workbook. This forces Excel to save directly to the cloud, bypassing the local sync cache.

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray
   The icon looks like a cloud. Select Settings from the menu.
2. Go to the Account tab
   Click “Choose folders” under the account that stores your workbook.
3. Uncheck the folder that contains the workbook
   This stops OneDrive from syncing that folder to your local PC. Click OK. OneDrive removes the local copy but the cloud version remains.
4. Open the workbook from OneDrive in a web browser
   Go to onedrive.com, navigate to the workbook, and click “Open in Excel.” The file opens directly from the cloud with no local sync.

Method 3: Close the Workbook on All Other Devices

If the workbook is open on another computer, phone, or tablet, close it there before editing on your current device. This prevents two simultaneous Autosave attempts.

1. Check the OneDrive website for open sessions
   Go to onedrive.com, sign in, and click the gear icon > Options > Manage storage. Look for “Open files” to see which files are currently being edited.
2. Close the workbook on each remote device
   Open the workbook on each device and close it normally. If you cannot access a device, wait for the automatic session timeout (usually 30 minutes).
3. Delete any existing conflicting copies
   In File Explorer, delete files named “Conflicting Copy” or “Copy of” after verifying they contain no data you need.

If Conflicting Copies Still Appear After the Fix

If you still see conflicting copies after applying all three methods, the issue may be caused by a corrupted file or a OneDrive sync error. Try these additional steps.

Excel Creates a Conflicting Copy Each Time I Save Manually

This indicates that OneDrive is still trying to sync the file while Excel has it open. Close the workbook completely. In File Explorer, right-click the workbook file and select “Always keep on this device.” OneDrive will download the full cloud version and replace the local copy. Reopen the file and save manually once.

Conflicting Copies Appear for Files I Did Not Edit

Another user with edit permissions may have the file open. Check the OneDrive web interface for co-authoring activity. If you see other names listed, ask them to close the file. If you are the only owner, reset OneDrive by going to Settings > Account > Unlink this PC, then relink.

Conflicting Copies Keep Returning After Deletion

OneDrive may be stuck in a sync loop. Pause OneDrive sync entirely for 60 seconds: right-click the OneDrive icon > Pause syncing > 2 hours. After the pause, resume sync. Delete any leftover conflicting copies. The loop usually stops after a full sync cycle.

Disable Autosave vs Stop Folder Sync: Key Differences

Item	Disable Autosave	Stop Folder Sync
Effect on workbook	You must save manually with Ctrl+S	File opens from cloud only; no local copy
Conflict copies stopped	Yes, for the specific workbook	Yes, for all files in the folder
Offline access	Workbook remains available offline	Workbook is not available offline
Revert time	Seconds to toggle the setting	Minutes to unlink and relink folder

You can now prevent conflicting copies from cluttering your OneDrive folders by disabling Autosave for the specific workbook or stopping folder sync. Start with disabling Autosave because it keeps the file available offline. If copies still appear, apply the folder sync stop method. As an advanced step, open the workbook from OneDrive.com and use the “Open in Excel” button instead of double-clicking the local file. This bypasses the local sync cache entirely and avoids the conflict condition from the start.