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Microsoft has reported that some 32-bit applications are affected by recurring failures during copying and saving files across different Windows versions. The problem is exacerbated when copying to network shares.

The issue is only present in apps that are large address aware and also use the CopyFile API on Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2, following the installation of KB5023774 and later updates, or Windows 10 21H2 and 22H2, after the installation of KB5023773 and later updates.

In a statement, Microsoft said, “Windows devices are more likely to be affected by this issue when using some commercial/enterprise security software which uses extended file attributes.” Redmond asserts that it has yet to receive reports of File Explorer’s file copying functionality being impacted, but the CopyFile API might not go unscathed.

Who’s affected

Microsoft Office apps like Excel and Word may be susceptible to this problem, but only when using 32-bit versions, with some users getting the ‘Document not saved’ error message. The known issue might not affect consumers using Windows in personal or non-managed commercial settings.

Of all the affected versions of Windows, Microsoft has yet to address the issues in the latest release, Windows 11, version 22H2.

The company has told impacted customers that they can work around the issue by saving or copying the files again until the fix is ready. On Windows 10 and 11 21H2, the issue has been fixed with the Known Issue Rollback, which is capable of reverting bugs pushed through a Windows Update.

A workaround

Admins are instructed to install and configure a KIR Group Policy on affected enterprise-managed devices to handle the file transfer and saving issue. To get the Group policies, you can follow the links below to get them from Microsoft:

KB5023774 Known Issue Rollback — Windows 11, version 21H2

KB5023773 Known Issue Rollback — Windows 10 21H2/22H2

Once installation is complete, the Group Policy can be located under Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates.

Deploying the Known Issue Rollback requires that you go to the Local Computer Policy or Domain Policy on the Domain Controller via the Group Policy Editor to choose the specific version of Windows you want to target. You can access more information on Microsoft’s support site.

Also read: Windows 10 and Windows 11 end-of-life dates