How to Save Word File to Different Location With Auto-Backup

You want Word to automatically save a backup copy of your document to a separate folder, such as an external drive or network share, without having to manually copy the file each time. Word’s built-in AutoRecover feature saves temporary copies during a crash, but it does not create a permanent backup in a location of your choice. This article explains how to use Word’s AutoRecover and file save settings to achieve an automatic backup to a different location, ensuring your work is protected even if the original file is lost or corrupted.

How Word’s AutoRecover Backup System Works

Word includes two distinct features that relate to automatic backups: AutoRecover and AutoSave. AutoRecover saves temporary copies of open documents at a set interval. These copies are stored in a single folder specified in Word Options. If Word crashes or you close without saving, you can recover the last autosaved version from this folder. AutoSave, by contrast, is a feature for Microsoft 365 subscribers that continuously saves changes to OneDrive or SharePoint. AutoSave does not create a backup in a second location; it saves over the original file.

The key to creating an automatic backup in a different location is to change the AutoRecover folder path to a drive or network folder separate from the original document. Word also offers a setting to keep the last autosaved version when you close without saving, which can act as an additional safety net. Note that AutoRecover files are not permanent backups; Word deletes them when you save and close the document normally. To keep a permanent backup copy in a separate location, you must use a third-party tool or a manual macro, but this article covers the closest built-in solution.

Steps to Set Up Auto-Backup to a Different Location

Follow these steps to configure Word to save AutoRecover files to a different folder. This method works for Word in Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016 on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

1. Create the target backup folder
   Open File Explorer and navigate to the drive or network location where you want backups stored. For example, D:\WordBackups or \\Server\Backups\Word. Right-click inside the folder, select New > Folder, and name it clearly, such as Word AutoRecover. This folder must exist before you set it in Word.
2. Open Word Options
   Launch Word. Click File > Options. The Word Options dialog opens.
3. Navigate to the Save settings
   In the left pane of Word Options, click Save. The right pane shows all save-related settings.
4. Change the AutoRecover file location
   Locate the field labeled AutoRecover file location. Click Browse next to it. In the dialog that appears, navigate to the backup folder you created in step 1. Select the folder and click OK. The path now appears in the field.
5. Adjust the AutoRecover save interval
   In the same Save pane, ensure Save AutoRecover information every is checked. Set the minutes value to 5 or 10. A shorter interval means more frequent backups but may slow performance on large documents. Click OK to save all changes.
6. Enable the keep last autosaved version option
   Still in the Save pane, check the box for Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving. This ensures that if you close the document without saving, Word retains the last AutoRecover copy in your backup folder.
7. Test the configuration
   Open a test document, type a few sentences, and wait for the AutoRecover interval to pass. Then close Word without saving the document. Reopen Word. On the left side of the startup screen, click Show Recovered Files. The recovered file should list a copy saved in your backup folder. Navigate to the backup folder in File Explorer to confirm the .asd file exists there.

Using the Always Create Backup Copy Option

Word also includes a hidden option called Always create backup copy. This option saves a copy of the previous version of the document with the extension .wbk in the same folder as the original document. It does not save to a different location. To use it, you must first enable it: File > Save As > Browse > Tools (next to the Save button) > General Options > check Always create backup copy > OK. However, because this backup lands in the same folder as the original, it does not meet the goal of saving to a different location. The AutoRecover folder method above is the only built-in way to specify a separate path.

Limitations of AutoRecover as a Backup Solution

AutoRecover Files Are Deleted After Normal Save

When you save and close a document normally, Word deletes the AutoRecover file from the backup folder. This means the backup folder only contains a copy while the document is open. If you want a permanent backup in a different location, you need to copy the file manually or use a third-party backup tool that monitors the folder.

AutoRecover Files Are Not Readable by Word Directly

The .asd files stored in the AutoRecover folder are not standard .docx files. You cannot double-click them to open. To recover, you must use Word’s Recover Unsaved Documents feature (File > Open > Recover Unsaved Documents). This limitation means the backup folder is not a convenient place to browse for old versions; it is only useful after a crash or accidental close.

Network Drives May Cause Slowdowns

If you set the AutoRecover folder to a network share or a slow USB drive, Word may become unresponsive during the automatic save. Use a local external drive with a fast connection or a network drive with low latency. Test with a small document first to confirm performance is acceptable.

OneDrive and SharePoint Conflicts

If you save documents to OneDrive or SharePoint and have AutoSave enabled, Word saves continuously to the cloud. Changing the AutoRecover folder does not affect AutoSave behavior. The AutoRecover folder will still receive copies, but they are redundant because AutoSave already captures every change. Disable AutoSave for documents where you want the backup folder to be the primary safety net.

AutoRecover Backup vs Manual Backup vs Third-Party Tools

Item	AutoRecover Folder Method	Manual Save As	Third-Party Backup Tool
Backup location	Any folder you specify	Same or different folder	Any folder or cloud
Automatic frequency	Every 5-10 minutes	Only when you manually save	Continuous or scheduled
File format	.asd (not directly openable)	.docx (fully usable)	.docx or other
Persistence after normal save	Deleted	Permanent	Permanent
Cost	Free (built into Word)	Free	Often paid subscription

The AutoRecover folder method is the only built-in way to set a different backup path in Word. It works best as a crash recovery tool, not as a permanent version history. For permanent backups to a different location, consider using a third-party backup utility like SyncBack or a cloud service that supports folder sync, such as OneDrive Personal Vault or Dropbox. These tools can copy the .docx file from the original folder to a secondary location on a schedule.

You now know how to configure Word to save AutoRecover files to a different drive or network folder. Test the setup by closing a document without saving and checking that the .asd file appears in your chosen backup folder. For a permanent backup solution, combine this method with a scheduled file sync tool that copies the original .docx file to a separate location. Remember that the AutoRecover folder path is a global setting in Word Options, so it applies to all documents you open in Word.