Workspace files save the arrangement of stencils currently open in the Microsoft Office Visio window. In Visio 2000 and earlier, workspaces were separate files that had the .vsw extension, but now Visio saves the workspace as part of a .vsd file by default. If you save a file you are working on and then reopen it later, the workspace, not just the drawing file, opens; that is, all stencils are open and ready for you to continue where you left off.

Note  When a workspace file is opened on another computer, stencils are opened only if they are available on that computer.

To prevent Visio from saving workspace files by default, clear the check mark next to Workspace on the Save drop-down menu in the Save As dialog box on the File menu.