Microsoft has alerted users to a significant issue affecting Word for Windows, warning that a bug in the software could lead to the unexpected deletion of documents. The issue impacts Word for Microsoft 365 users running version 2409, build 18025.20104, particularly when closing the application after making edits and being prompted to save.
The problem, which emerged after a wave of user complaints, stems from how Word handles files under specific conditions. If a document has a filename that includes the symbol ‘#’ or users a capitalised file extension — such as .docx or .rtf — Word may delete the file after users attempt to save it upon closing.
This is particularly worrying for those relying on the default save prompt when exiting the program, as the bug can cause the document to disappear completely.
Microsoft confirmed the issue and stated that its Word development team is actively investigating the cause. Until a formal fix is issued, the company has recommended several workarounds for users experiencing this problem.
First, affected users would check the Recycle Bin to see if their deleted files are recoverable. Microsoft also suggests manually saving the document before closing Word, as the bug is triggered specifically when saving via the exit prompt, but not when manually saving the file first.
Another preventive measure users can take is to adjust Word’s settings to avoid displaying the Backstage view — this can be done by enabling the ‘Don’t show the Backstage when opening or saving the files with keyboard shortcuts’ option, accessible under File > Options > Save.
For those looking for a more immediate solution, BleepingComputer advises reverting to the previous version of Word until a permanent fix is issued. Users can do this via the Command Prompt:
cd %programfiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun
office2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=17928.20156
In April 2024, Microsoft rolled back a security fix for Outlook as users complained about random security alerts when opening ICS calendar files.
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