Microsoft reports that some 32-bit applications on certain versions of Windows are prone to crashes when copying and saving files. The problem appears most often when copying files to shares.
The Windows Release Status portal notes that the issue occurs intermittently and affects applications that use “large addresses” and the CopyFile API. Crashes occur on the following operating systems:
- Windows 11 version 21H2 and Windows 11 version 22H2 (after installing KB5023774 or later updates);
- Windows 10 version 21H2 and Windows 10 version 22H2 (after installing KB5023773 or newer updates).
Redmond declares:
Windows devices are more likely to be affected by this issue when using certain commercial or enterprise security programs that use extended file attributes.
According to Microsoft, there have been no reports of file copy problems in File Explorer. However, the issue affects certain applications that use the CopyFile API.
Crashes are reported in 32-bit Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel. Users may receive “Document not saved” error messages.
This issue is unlikely to be experienced by users using personal or unmanaged commercial devices.
Hotfix for Windows 11 version 22H2 not yet available
Of all the affected versions of Windows, Microsoft has yet to fix file copy and save errors in the latest release of Windows 11, version 22H2.
Until a fix is ​​available, the company suggests using a workaround: re-save or copy the files.
In Windows 10 and Windows 11, version 21H2, the issue was addressed by rolling back the Known Issue Rollback (KIR). This mechanism is designed to reverse non-security patches submitted through Windows Update.
Windows administrators should install and configure the KIR Group Policy on all affected corporate devices to fix these file transfer and save issues.
You can download KIR group policies from the following links:
- KB5023774 Known Issue Rollback – Windows 11 version 21H2
- KB5023773 Known Issue Rollback – Windows 10 version 21H2, Windows 10 version 22H2
Once installed, Group Policy can be found under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates. To deploy the Known Issues Rollback mechanism, you must navigate to the computer’s Local Group Policy or Domain Policy on a domain controller using the Group Policy Editor and select the target version of Windows.
For more information about deploying and configuring KIR Group Policies, see support site Microsoft.
