Word Container
The Word Container folder stores Microsoft Word’s sandboxed app data on macOS, including settings, recovery data, and other files Word uses while you work.
What is Word Container?
~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word is the sandbox container for Microsoft Word on macOS. This folder is created and used by the Word desktop app to store data that belongs to Word inside Apple’s app-container system. It can hold items such as app settings, temporary working files, AutoRecovery content, and other local data Word needs for normal document editing and recovery features. Mac users commonly encounter this folder when checking storage usage, troubleshooting Office behavior, or cleaning up leftover data after uninstalling Word. Removing it while you still use Word can reset app data and may delete locally stored recovery information that helps restore unsaved work after a crash.
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Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
This folder is consistent with Microsoft Word for macOS and its sandboxed storage model. It may contain local working data and AutoRecovery files, so deleting it can remove unsaved-document recovery information, reset Word-specific settings, and sign out or clear local app state in some cases. If you still use Word, check whether you have important unsaved or locally stored files before removing it.
Recommendation: Keep this folder if Microsoft Word is installed or you still open Word documents on this Mac. Remove it only after Word has been uninstalled and you no longer need its local settings or recovery data; doing so may free some space, but Word will recreate the container if you install or launch the app again.
File path
~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word
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