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Press Ctrl+S on Windows or Linux, or Cmd+S on macOS. You can also choose File > Save. When the dot on the editor tab disappears, the current contents have been written to disk. This guide covers new files, Save As, Save All, Auto Save, recovery and common save failures.
Save the file you are editing
- Open an existing file in Visual Studio Code, or create a new editor with File > New Text File (you can also use Ctrl+N on Windows/Linux or Cmd+N on macOS).
- Type or paste your changes.
- Use the command that matches your operating system:
- Windows/Linux: press Ctrl+S, or select File > Save.
- macOS: press Cmd+S, or select File > Save.
- If this is a new file, VS Code opens a Save dialog. Choose a folder, enter a filename (including its extension, such as
.js,.pyor.html), and confirm.
VS Code requires an explicit save by default. The official documentation describes this behavior as “By default, VS Code requires an explicit action to save your changes to disk, ⌘S (Windows, Linux Ctrl+S).”
Check that the save completed
A dot on the file’s editor tab means that the file has unsaved changes. After a successful save, the dot disappears. The Explorer may also display a badge for a modified file. If the dot remains, the save did not finish or the file is still being edited while another change is pending.
Save a new file with a name and location
A new, untitled editor has no path until you save it. Use File > Save As, or these shortcuts:
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- Windows/Linux: Ctrl+Shift+S
- macOS: Shift+Cmd+S
- Choose the destination folder in the Save dialog.
- Enter a descriptive filename and the correct extension.
- Click Save (or press Enter).
Save As is also the safe way to create a copy, move a file to another directory, change its extension or preserve the original before making experimental edits. Saving an already named file with Ctrl+S or Cmd+S writes to its existing path; Save As lets you select a different path or name.
Save every modified file at once
When several tabs contain changes, run Save All from the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows/Linux or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS) and type Save All. You can also use the menu command when it is shown under File.
| Action | Windows/Linux | macOS | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Save | Ctrl+S | Cmd+S | Writes the active editor to its current path. |
| Save As | Ctrl+Shift+S | Shift+Cmd+S | Prompts for a new name or location. |
| Save All | Ctrl+K, then S | Option+Cmd+S | Writes every modified open editor. |
The official keyboard reference lists Ctrl+K S for Save All on Windows and Option+Cmd+S on macOS. On Windows/Linux, press Ctrl+K, release both keys, then press S; it is a two-part chord rather than three keys held simultaneously.
Turn on Auto Save
For a quick toggle, choose File > Auto Save. A check mark indicates that it is enabled. Auto Save changes when VS Code writes files without waiting for Ctrl+S or Cmd+S.
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Choose a trigger in Settings
- Open File > Preferences > Settings on Windows/Linux, or Code > Settings > Settings on macOS.
- Search for Auto Save.
- Set Files: Auto Save to one of the supported modes:
off,afterDelay,onFocusChangeoronWindowChange.
The documented default delay for afterDelay is 1,000 milliseconds. Change Files: Auto Save Delay when you need a longer or shorter interval. The equivalent setting in settings.json is:
{
"files.autoSave": "afterDelay"
}What each mode means
| Mode | Save trigger | Useful when | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
off |
Only an explicit Save command | You want complete control over every write | It is easier to close a window with pending changes. |
afterDelay |
After the configured delay | You want frequent background saves while typing | Partially edited code can be written. |
onFocusChange |
When the editor loses focus | You switch between files and want the previous one saved | Changes may remain unsaved while you stay in the editor. |
onWindowChange |
When the VS Code window loses focus | You want a save when moving to another application | It does not save merely because you changed tabs inside the same window. |
Set Auto Save globally, per workspace or per language
Settings can apply to your entire VS Code installation (User), only the currently opened project (Workspace), or a language-specific scope. A workspace setting is useful when a project has its own workflow. A language block can disable Auto Save for one language while leaving your other language settings unchanged. In Settings, use the scope selector beside the setting; in settings.json, language-specific settings use a block such as:
[python]
{
"files.autoSave": "off"
}Keep the scope visible while changing the value so you do not accidentally alter every project.
Manual Save versus Auto Save
Manual saving gives you a deliberate checkpoint: you decide exactly when the current text reaches disk. Auto Save favors convenience and reduces the chance of forgetting, but it can write incomplete edits while you are in the middle of a change. A practical compromise is afterDelay with a delay that matches your workflow, plus an explicit Save before running, committing or sharing code.
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Auto Save is not version control. It does not provide a history of earlier contents; use Git or another version-control system when you need to review or restore revisions.
What happens if VS Code closes before you save?
VS Code’s Hot Exit backs up unsaved changes so they can be restored after an unexpected close. Its behavior is configurable with files.hotExit. Treat Hot Exit as recovery support, not as a replacement for saving: a deliberate Save is the reliable way to write the current contents to the file on disk.
Recover after a crash or power loss
- Reopen VS Code and look for the restored editor or an unsaved workspace entry.
- Inspect the restored text carefully; recovery data may represent the last backup, not every keystroke.
- Use File > Save As to write the recovered content to a known path before continuing.
Troubleshoot a file that will not save
The tab still shows the unsaved dot
- Press the correct shortcut for your operating system again and wait for the disk activity to finish.
- Check whether a Save As dialog is hidden behind another window.
- Look for an error notification in the lower-right corner and follow its path or permission message.
“Permission denied” or read-only errors
The operating-system account running VS Code cannot write to that folder, or the file is marked read-only. Save a copy to a directory you own, change the file or folder permissions using your operating system’s controls, or open the project from the correct account. Avoid running the whole editor as an administrator merely to bypass permissions.
The file is on a network, removable or synchronized drive
Network latency, a disconnected volume or a sync conflict can delay or reject a write. Confirm that the drive is mounted, retry after the connection stabilizes, and use Save As to a local folder as a diagnostic. If the local copy saves, resolve the drive or synchronization problem before replacing the original.
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Another program changed the file
VS Code can detect an external modification. Compare the versions shown in the prompt before choosing to overwrite or reload. If your edits are important, first use Save As to preserve your current buffer under a new name.
A newly created file has the wrong type
Check the filename extension in the Save dialog. A file named script is not the same as script.py. The language mode shown in the status bar affects editing and syntax highlighting, but the extension and path determine what was actually saved.
Auto Save is not behaving as expected
- Verify that File > Auto Save is checked.
- In Settings, confirm the effective scope (User, Workspace or language-specific) and the value of
files.autoSave. - If using
afterDelay, checkfiles.autoSaveDelay; the timer resets as you continue typing. - Remember that
onFocusChangeandonWindowChangewait for the specified focus transition.
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If you are documenting a VS Code project or need a current screenshot of a documentation page, ScreenshotNeo can capture a URL through one HTTP request. It is separate from VS Code’s file-saving commands, but it avoids launching and configuring a browser for repeatable website captures. Its consent handling removes cookie banners, newsletter popups and chat widgets before the shot; bot checks, blank pages and failed loads are not billed. An MCP server provides take_screenshot, get_page_info and capture_pdf tools to Claude, Cursor and other MCP clients.
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r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://code.visualstudio.com"}, timeout=90)
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Quick checklist before you close VS Code
- The editor tab has no unsaved dot.
- The file is in the intended folder and has the intended extension.
- All modified tabs have been saved, or you deliberately chose Save All.
- If Auto Save is enabled, its mode and scope match this project’s needs.
- Important work is committed to version control rather than relying only on Hot Exit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does VS Code save automatically by default?
No. The default is explicit saving with File > Save, Ctrl+S on Windows/Linux or Cmd+S on macOS. Enable Auto Save if you want background saves.
How do I save a file under a different name in VS Code?
Use File > Save As, Ctrl+Shift+S on Windows/Linux or Shift+Cmd+S on macOS, then choose the new path and filename.
What shortcut saves all open files?
On Windows/Linux use Ctrl+K, then S. On macOS use Option+Cmd+S.
Can Hot Exit replace saving?
No. Hot Exit can restore unsaved work after an unexpected close, but a deliberate Save is the dependable way to write the current contents to disk.
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