Backing up word files

где хранятся временные файлы Word

В текстовом процессоре MS Word довольно-таки хорошо реализована функция автосохранения документов. По ходу написания текста или добавления любых других данных в файл программа автоматически сохраняет его резервную копию с заданным временным интервалом.

О том, как работает эта функция, мы уже писали, в этой же статье речь пойдет о смежной теме, а именно, будет рассмотрим то, где хранятся временные файлы Ворд. Это и есть те самые резервные копии, своевременно не сохраненные документы, которые располагаются в директории по умолчанию, а не в указанном пользователем месте.

Урок: Функция автосохранения в Word

Зачем кому-то может понадобиться обращение ко временным файлам? Да хотя бы затем, чтобы найти документ, путь для сохранения которого пользователь не указывал. В этом же месте будет храниться последняя сохраненная версия файла, созданная в случае внезапного прекращения работы Ворд. Последнее может произойти из-за перебоев с электричеством или по причине сбоев, ошибок в работе операционной системы.

Урок: Как сохранить документ, если завис Word

Как найти папку с временными файлами

Для того, чтобы найти директорию, в которую сохраняются резервные копии документов Ворд, создаваемые непосредственно во время работы в программе, нам потребуется обратиться к функции автосохранения. Если говорить точнее, к ее настройкам.

Диспетчер задач

Примечание: Прежде, чем приступить к поиску временных файлов, обязательно закройте все запущенные окна Microsoft Office. При необходимости, можно снять задачу через «Диспетчер» (вызывается комбинацией клавиш «CTRL+SHIFT+ESC»).

1. Откройте Word и перейдите в меню «Файл».

меню файл в Word

2. Выберите раздел «Параметры».

Параметры Word

3. В окне, которое перед вами откроется, выберите пункт «Сохранение».

Параметры сохранения в Word

Lumpics.ru

4. Как раз в этом окне и будут отображаться все стандартные пути для сохранения.

Примечание: Если пользователь вносил изменения в параметры по умолчанию, в этом окне они будут отображены вместо стандартных значений.

5. Обратите внимание на раздел «Сохранение документов», а именно, на пункт «Каталог данных для автовосстановления». Путь, который указан напротив него, приведет вас к месту, где хранятся последние версии автоматически сохраненных документов.

путь для автосохранения в Word

Благодаря этому же окну можно найти и последний сохраненный документ. Если вы не знаете его местонахождение, обратите внимание на путь, указанный напротив пункта «Расположение локальных файлов по умолчанию».

папка по умолчанию в Word

6. Запомните путь, по которому вам нужно перейти, или же просто скопируйте его и вставьте в поисковую строку системного проводника. Нажмите «ENTER» для перехода в указанную папку.

папка с файлами Word

7. Ориентируясь на имя документа или на дату и время его последнего изменения, найдите тот, который вам нужен.

Примечание: Временные файлы довольно часто хранятся в папках, названных точно так же, как и документы, которые в них содержатся. Правда, вместо пробелов между словами у них установлены символы по типу «%20», без кавычек.

8. Откройте этот файл через контекстное меню: правый клик по документу — «Открыть с помощью» — Microsoft Word. Внесите необходимые изменения, не забыв сохранить файл в удобном для вас месте.

открыть с помощью Word

Примечание: В большинстве случаев аварийного закрытия текстового редактора (перебои в сети или ошибки в системе), при повторном открытии Word предлагает открыть последнюю сохраненную версию документа, с которым вы работали. Это же происходит и при открытии временного файла непосредственно из папки, в которой он хранится.

несохраненный файл Word

Урок: Как восстановить несохраненный документ Ворд

Теперь вы знаете, где хранятся временные файлы программы Microsoft Word. Искренне желаем вам не только продуктивной, но и стабильной работы (без ошибок и сбоев) в этом текстовом редакторе.

You can save a file to a folder on your hard disk drive, a network location, the cloud, a DVD, the desktop, or a flash drive. While you must identify the destination, if it is different than the default folder, the saving process is the same regardless of what destination you choose. By default, Microsoft 365 programs save files in the default working folder.

Additionally you can save a file in a different file format, such as RTF, CSV, or PDF.

Saving a file to OneDrive or SharePoint allows you to access it on any device and enables features such as AutoSave and Version History, which can help prevent data loss if your file closes unexpectedly.

To save your file:

  1. Press CTRL+S or select FileSave.

    Tip: You can also select Save Save icon  on the Quick Access Toolbar.

  2. You must enter a name for the file if you are saving it for the first time.

Tip: Save your file to a cloud location, such as OneDrive or SharePoint, to be able to access it anywhere, collaborate with others in real-time, and access Version History.

By default, if you’re signed in, files are saved to your OneDrive. If you want to save the current file somewhere else, click the Location drop-down to see additional recently-used locations. If the location you want isn’t there, you can open the full Save As window by selecting More save options.

The save dialog in Microsoft Excel for Office 365

Tip: If you save your file to OneDrive or SharePoint, AutoSave will be enabled by default, so you don’t have to remember to save as you go.

If you’d like to change the default location for these saves to one of your other recently-used folders, select the Location drop-down, right-click the folder location you want to set as the default and select Set as Default Location

A screenshot of how to set the default location in Word while saving a new file

If you want to save to a location other than your recently-used folders, select More locations. If you haven’t received this update yet, your Office applications will continue to use the File menu for saving.

Tips: 

  • You can also press F12 or select File > Save As to open the File menu.

  • If you’re used to using keyboard shortcuts when closing your document, such as ALT+F4, you can quickly choose to «Don’t Save» the file by using the keyboard accelerator key for that button (ALT+N).

Save a copy as a new file (Save As)

Tip: If you’re going to create a new file based on an existing file, but only want your changes saved in the new file, it’s a good idea to Save a Copy before you’ve made any changes. That way your original file will remain unchanged and all your edits will be in the new copy. You can also right-click the original file and select Open a copy.

  1. Press F12 or click File > Save a Copy

  2. By default Office will save the copy in the same location as the original. If you’re happy with the existing location go on to step 3. If you want to save the new copy in a different location choose it at this point.

    Location

    Description

    Sites –

    [Your Company Name]

    SharePoint or Office 365 Groups document libraries

    OneDrive –

    [Your Company Name]

    OneDrive for Business

    OneDrive – Personal

    OneDrive for consumers via your Microsoft account

    This PC

    Your local device, including any connected hard drives or flash drives

    Browse

    Opens the File Explorer so you can navigate to any location on your computer.

  3. Give your new copy a name and click Save.

Your original file will be closed and you’ll now be working in the new copy you just created.

Tip: If you find yourself creating new files based on existing files often, you may want to use templates to make the process easier and safer. See Create a template for more information.

Save as a different format

You might want to save your file in another format so that you, or somebody else, can open the file in a different program or older version. For example, you might want to save your Word document as a Rich Text File (RTF) or your Excel workbook as a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file.

Important: If you save an Office file in a format other than the Open XML format (such as .DOCX, .XLSX, or .PPTX) some connected experiences and modern features like AutoSave or Accessibility Checker won’t work on that file.

  1. Click the File tab.

  2. Click Save As.

  3. Choose a file location, such as OneDrive or This PC to store your file.

  4. In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.

  5. In the Save as type list, click the file format that you want to save the file in. For example, click Rich Text Format (.rtf), Word 97-2003 (.doc), Web Page (.htm or .html), or Comma Delimited (.csv).

    Click the file type drop down to select a different file format for your document

    For more information about how to save files in PDF (.pdf) or XPS (.xps) formats, see Save or convert to PDF or XPS.

  6. Click Save.

Back up and recover your files

How you back up and recover your files depends on where and when you saved it. To learn more about a feature, including which versions of Office support it, select the name of the feature in the table below.

Saved to OneDrive

Saved to your device

If AutoRecover is turned on and your file closes unexpectedly, Document Recovery opens the next time you open the Office app. You can also recover an earlier version of an Office file.

Important: Even if AutoRecover is turned on, you should save the file frequently while you’re working on it to avoid losing data because of an unexpected power failure or other problem.

You can save a copy as a new file, or in a different format, or to a different location in Office 2016.

Save a copy as a new file (Save As)

Tip: If you’re going to create a new file, based on an existing file, but only want your changes saved in the new file it’s a good idea to do the Save a Copy process first thing; before you’ve made any changes. That way your original file will remain unchanged and all your edits will be in the new copy.

  1. Press F12 or click File > Save a Copy

  2. By default Office will save the copy in the same location as the original. If you want to save the new copy in a different location choose it at this point. If you’re happy with the existing location go on to step 3.

  3. Give your new copy a name and click Save.

Your original file will be closed and you’ll now be working in the new copy you just created.

Tip: If you find yourself creating new files based on existing files often, you may want to use templates to make the process easier and safer. See Create a template for more information.

Choose a different location to save your file

During the Save, or Save a Copy, process described above you can choose a different location to save your file.

  1. Select the cloud, web site, or device location where you want to save the file.

    Location

    Description

    Sites –

    [Your Company Name]

    SharePoint or Office 365 Groups document libraries

    OneDrive –

    [Your Company Name]

    OneDrive for Business

    OneDrive – Personal

    OneDrive for consumers via your Microsoft account

    This PC

    Your local device, including any connected hard drives or flash drives

    Browse

    Opens the File Explorer so you can navigate to any location on your computer.

  2. Select a folder from the Recent Folders list, or click Browse if you don’t see the location you want listed there.

  3. Confirm the filename you want to use and click Save.

Save as a different, or older, format

You might want to save your file in another format so that you, or somebody else, can open the file in a different program or older version. For example, you might want to save your Word 2016 document as a Rich Text File (RTF) or your Excel workbook as a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file.

  1. Click the File tab.

  2. Click Save As.

  3. Choose a file location, such as OneDrive or This PC to store your file.

  4. In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.

  5. In the Save as type list, click the file format that you want to save the file in. For example, click Rich Text Format (.rtf), Word 97-2003 (.doc), Web Page (.htm or .html), or Comma Delimited (.csv).

    Click the file type drop down to select a different file format for your document

    Note: For more information about how to save files in PDF (.pdf) or XPS (.xps) formats, see Save or convert to PDF or XPS.

  6. Click Save.

Save as a copy, or to a different location in Office 2013.

  1. Select the cloud, web site, or device location where you want to save the file.

    Location

    Description

    Sites –

    [Your Company Name]

    SharePoint Server 2013 or earlier document libraries

    OneDrive –

    [Your Company Name]

    OneDrive for work or school

    OneDrive – Personal

    OneDrive for consumers via your Microsoft account

    Other web locations

    Any other websites you have file storage access to.

    Computer

    Your local device

  2. Select a folder from the Recent Folders list, or click Browse if you don’t see the location you want listed there.

  3. Confirm the filename you want to use and click Save.

When you use the Save As dialog box, you can also save the file to a new location by using the Navigation pane.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Save As dialog

  1. To choose a folder or type the path to a folder, use the Address Bar.

  2. To quickly see locations you use often, use the Navigation pane.

  3. To see more file types, click the arrow.

You can also use the Save As dialog box to rename a file or change the location of where you save the file by clicking a different folder.

You might want to save your file in another format so that you, or somebody else, can open the file in a different program or older version. For example, you might want to save your Word document as a Rich Text File (RTF) or your Excel workbook as a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file.

  1. Click the File tab.

  2. Click Save As.

  3. Choose a file location, such as OneDrive or This PC to store your file.

  4. In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.

  5. In the Save as type list, click the file format that you want to save the file in. For example, click Rich Text Format (.rtf), Web Page (.htm or .html), or Comma Delimited (.csv).

    Click the file type drop down to select a different file format for your document

    Note: For more information about how to save files in PDF (.pdf) or XPS (.xps) formats, see Save or convert to PDF or XPS.

  6. Click Save.

If you are using Office 2010, you can save files in an earlier version of Microsoft 365 by selecting the version in the Save as type list in the Save As dialog box. For example, you can save your Word 2010 document (.docx) as a 97-2003 document (.doc).

Notes: 

  • Office 2010 continues the use of the XML-based file formats, such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx, introduced in the 2007 Office release. Therefore, files created in Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 can be opened in the 2007 Office release programs without special add-ins or loss of functionality. For more information, see Open XML Formats and file name extensions.

  • For more information about compatibility between files from different releases, see Use the Compatibility Checker.

For information about saving Microsoft Access 2010 .ACCDB files into the older .MDB format see Convert an .accdb database to an earlier file format.

  1. Click the File tab.

  2. Click Save As.

  3. In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.

  4. Click Save.

When you use the Save As dialog box, you can also save the file to a new location by using the Navigation pane.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Save As dialog

  1. To choose a folder or type the path to a folder, use the Address Bar.

  2. To quickly see locations you use often, use the Navigation pane.

  3. To see more file types, click the arrow.

You can also use the Save As dialog box to rename a file or change the location of where you save the file by clicking a different folder.

You might want to save your file in another format so that you, or somebody else, can open the file in a different program or older version. For example, you might want to save your Word document as a Rich Text File (RTF) or your Excel workbook as a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file.

  1. Click the File tab.

  2. Click Save As.

  3. Choose a file location, such as OneDrive or This PC to store your file.

  4. In the File name box, enter a new name for the file.

  5. In the Save as type list, click the file format that you want to save the file in. For example, click Rich Text Format (.rtf), Web Page (.htm or .html), or Comma Delimited (.csv).

    Click the file type drop down to select a different file format for your document

    Note: For more information about how to save files in PDF (.pdf) or XPS (.xps) formats, see Save or convert to PDF or XPS.

  6. Click Save.

If you are using Office 2010, you can save files in an earlier version of Microsoft 365 by selecting the version in the Save as type list in the Save As dialog box. For example, you can save your Word 2010 document (.docx) as a 97-2003 document (.doc).

Notes: 

  • Office 2010 continues the use of the XML-based file formats, such as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx, introduced in the 2007 Office release. Therefore, files created in Microsoft Word 2010, Microsoft Excel 2010, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 can be opened in the 2007 Office release programs without special add-ins or loss of functionality. For more information, see Open XML Formats and file name extensions.

  • For more information about compatibility between files from different releases, see Use the Compatibility Checker.

For information about saving Microsoft Access 2010 .ACCDB files into the older .MDB format see Convert an .accdb database to an earlier file format.

We’re listening

This article was updated January 29, 2020 as a result of your comments. If you found it helpful, and especially if you didn’t, please use the feedback controls below to let us know how we can make it better.

See Also

  • What is AutoSave?

  • Rename a file

  • Save or convert to PDF

  • Store, share, and sync your files

  • What happens when you sign out of Office

Applied to: Microsoft Office Word 2020, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and 2003

Closing the Word accidentally or a program/system crash may cause the unsaved Word document to disappear. Luckily, there is still a chance to recover unsaved Word documents in Windows 10/11 from Temporary Files, AutoRecover, or Word Document Recovery.

Besides, if your saved Word document gets deleted, you can restore deleted Word documents from the Recycle Bin or by using one of the best data recovery software. 

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Recover unsaved Word from Temporary Files Open Word program, click «File» > «Info» > «Manage Document» > «Recover Unsaved Documents»…Full steps
Fix 2. Restore unsaved Word documents from AutoRecover Open Word > click «File» > «Options» > «Save» > copy AutoRecover file location path and paste it…Full steps
Fix 3. Retrieve unsaved Word with Document Recovery When your system comes back online, reopen Word, click available files under Document Recovery…Full steps
Fix 4. Restore deleted Word from Recycle Bin Go to the Recycle Bin. Check if the deleted word file is still there. If you don’t know the name…Full steps
Fix 5. Recover lost Word documents with Data Recovery Software Choose the hard disk drive or a specific folder where the Word document was saved, click «Scan»…Full steps

Have you accidentally closed your Word application without saving the document you had been working for a few hours? Have you lost the Word file unsaved due to a sudden program crash? Or mistakenly deleted some saved and essential Word document? If you are looking for an effective solution, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we will show you the most useful ways to recover unsaved Word documents. Furthermore, we also introduce you to a renowned office file recovery tool — EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to help you restore deleted or permanently deleted Word documents in a few clicks. It is also competent to repair corrupted DOCX/DOC files as well as other documents.

Solution 1. Recover Unsaved Word Document from Temporary Files

Unsaved Word documents vanishing is a very unpleasant problem. Take it easy. There are three possible ways to find a Word document that is not saved. The following operations use Word 2016 edition as an example. The steps for Word 2013-2019 are similar.

Recovering unsaved Word documents requires you to turn on AutoSave in advance. If this feature is turned on, you can find the unsaved files through the following path:

C:UsersOwnerAppDataLocalMicrosoftOfficeUnsavedFiles

recover unsaved word document from temporary files

Or you can follow the steps given below to do it.

Step 1. In MS Word, click the «File» tab in the upper left.

open file tab in word

Step 2. Click «Manage Document» and select «Recover Unsaved Documents» from the drop-down list.

find unsaved word documents

Step 3. Check for your missing File in the dialog box. If it was a recent loss, it should appear.

select the unsaved word document

Step 4. Open the recovered Word document and click the «Save As» button in the top banner.

click save as to restore unsaved word documents

Additional Help — How to Turn on AutoRecover

Many of us have experienced a situation where we have created a Word document and then accidentally closed it out without saving it. To avoid this kind of situation, you’d better enable AutoRecove.

Step 1. Open Word, go to «File» > «Options» > «Save».

Step 2. Tick the box of «Save AutoRecover information every * minutes» and «Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving».

Step 3. Click «OK» to save the changes.

how to enable autorecover in Word

Excel, like Word, is an indispensable office software. If you lose an unsaved Excel document, you can use the methods we recommend to retrieve it.

related articles

recover unsaved Excel file

Solution 2. How to Recover Unsaved Word Document from AutoRecover

Another way to get back an unsaved Word document is by using AutoRecover. AutoRecover file names end in the .asd file name extension. By default, Word searches for AutoRecover files every time that it starts, and then it displays any data found in the Document Recovery task pane. If the Document Recovery pane does not open, manually search for auto-recovered files. To do this, use one of the following procedures according to your Word version:

For Word 2010 — 2019:

Step 1. Open the Word program, and click «File» > «Options». In the left navigation pane, click «Save». Copy the AutoRecover file location path and paste it into File Explorer.

Tip: You can change the time of AutoSave interval in «Save AutoRecover information every xx minutes» and click OK.

how to recover unsaved Word document with autorecover - 1

Step 2. Go to the File Explorer, find the unsaved document, and copy the .asd file.

how to recover unsaved Word document with autorecover - 2

Step 3. Go to your Word app, click «File» > «Open» > «Recover Unsaved Documents» at the bottom.

how to recover unsaved Word document with autorecover - 3

Step 4. Paste the copied .asd file into the File Name box popping up. Open the Word file recover it.

how to recover unsaved Word document with autorecover - 4

If Word warns that «Word experienced an error…», repeat the steps and click «Open and Repair» at the open Unsaved Document window.

repair word error to restore unsaved word document

For Word 2002 — 2007:

Versions Steps
Word 2007

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click «Word Options» > «Save».  

2. In the AutoRecover file location box, note the path, and then click «Cancel» and close Word.

3. Open the folder that you noted in step 2.

4. Look for the Word document that you are looking for ends in .asd (AutoRecover files). Then, double-click it to open and save it immediately.

Word 2003 & 2002

1. On the «Tools» menu, click «Options».

2. Click the File Locations tab, double-click AutoRecover files, note the path, click «Cancel», and then click «Close».

Note: In the Modify Location dialog box, you may have to click the down arrow in the Folder name list to see the whole path to your AutoRecover files. Close Word.

3. Look for files whose names end in .asd (AutoRecover files) after locating the AutoRecover file location.

4. Double-click the Word document to open it. Next, save it immediately.

Then, you can check the file content and save it as a new Word file at another secure location.

Solution 3. How to Restore Unsaved Word with Document Recovery

If your Word crashes or closes abruptly, it will automatically restore unsaved Word documents in most cases when it comes back online. You can find the unsaved Word documents on the left panel, under Document Recovery. 

how to recover unsaved Word document

Solution 4. How to Recover Word Document from Recycle Bin

If you deleted a Word document without emptying the Recycle Bin, you could undelete the Word document with simple clicks.

Step 1. Go to the Recycle Bin. Check if the deleted word file is still there. If you don’t know the name, look for file types such as DOC, DOCX, DOT, etc.

Step 2. Select the Word file and click «Restore» to recover it.

recover deleted word document from Windows recycle bin

If you have emptied the recycle bin after deleting files, the deleted Word file may have been permanently removed. If you are in the same case, follow the next solution to restore deleted Word documents with a data recovery program.

Solution 5. How to Recover a Word Document with Word File Recovery Software

If you have lost saved Word documents because of careless deletion, hard drive formatting, or system errors, the above ways won’t work. At this time, you have to resort to a professional hard drive recovery software — EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.

With this capable tool, you can recover deleted files in Windows 11/10/8/7 in various formats, including documents, videos, audio files, emails, ZIP, and more.

Note: This solution can be only used to recover deleted or lost Word documents that were saved on your computer before. 

Step 1. Choose the Word file location

Choose the drive or a specific folder and click the «Scan» button.

select a location and click scan

Step 2. Locate your Word files

The software will start immediately scanning all lost data on the selected drive. After the scan, click the «Documents» option in the left panel. Choose «Word» from the category bar. Then, click «Preview».

scan word files

Step 3. Recover Word files

After previewing the lost Word files, select the desired Word files and click «Recover». Then, select a folder to store the Word files.

select word documents and recover

Important
We don’t recommend you try any data recovery software to recover unsaved Word documents. This type of program only helps you recover lost saved Word document due to accidental deletion, disk formatting, virus attack, partition loss, etc. Namely, there needs to be an original file saved before on your computer or storage media.

How to Recover Unsaved Word Document on Mac in 2 Ways

On Mac, AutoRecover is turned on by default. Take the two methods below to recover unsaved Word on Mac by using the AutoRecover function.

Solution 1. Restore Unsaved Word Document in Finder

Step 1. Start your Mac and open the Finder window.

Step 2. Search for AutoRecovery in the search bar. A list of files Word documents named «AutoRecovery save of» will appear. 

Word auto recovery file on Mac

Step 3. Find and open the Word document you want to recover. 

Step 4. Click the «File» menu and choose «Save As». Rename the restored files and click the Save button. 

Solution 2. Restore Unsaved Word Document with Terminal

The unsaved Word document can be recovered from the temporary folder by using Terminal.

Step 1. Open your Mac and go to «Applications» > «Utilities» > «Terminal».

Step 2. Type open $TMPDIR and find the TemporaryItems folder on the list. 

temp folder on Mac

Step 3. Find the file you need. Open and save it to recover unsaved Word documents. 

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you can learn five ways to recover unsaved Word documents on Windows and Mac devices. With the help of EaseUS file recovery software, you can restore lost Word documents, whether they are deleted, encrypted by malware, or corrupted when it was saved on a faulty partition. 

Hope these solutions can help you get back any lost Word documents.

Recover Unsaved Word Document Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have some Word recovery problems, you can read the following questions and answers to get more help.

How do I recover an unsaved Word document Windows 10?

Step 1. Click the «File tab», then choose «Info», then select «Manage Documents».

Step 2. Select «Recover Unsaved Documents» from the drop-down menu.

Step 3. Click «Open» when you have selected the document you want to recover.

Step 4. Click the «Save As» button and save your Word document.

How to recover unsaved Word document from USB?

If you have unsaved changes to a Word document that is stored on a USB drive, you can recover your work in two ways:

One way is to try opening the document from the Recent Documents list in Microsoft Word. To do this, open Word and click on the File menu. Then, click on Open and select Recent Documents. If your unsaved document is listed, you should be able to open it and recover your work.

Another way to recover an unsaved Word document from a USB drive is to use the Autosave feature. To do this, open the document that you were working on and look for the Autosave folder. If you find the file, you can recover your work by opening it in Word.

How to recover unsaved Word document 2016?

Try these methods to restore unsaved Word document in Word 2019, 2016, 2013, or 2010:

  • Check your recently opened documents
  • Try opening a temporary file
  • Use the AutoRecover tool

Where are unsaved Word documents stored?

These Word files can be found via «File> Open» and click the «Recover Unsaved Documents» button at the very bottom of the Recent File List.

There are few experiences as universally familiar as losing a Word document. Everyone from high schoolers with Catcher in the Rye book reports to business executives with quarterly earnings knows the panic of their work disappearing when it’s just a few crossed-t’s away from being completed.

Fortunately, there are dependable ways to recover Word documents quickly and reliably. Whether your work was accidentally deleted, lost in a Microsoft Word crash, or simply disappeared, here’s a simple guide on how to recover unsaved Word documents.

And remember, if all else fails, installing a data recovery program like Acronis Revive or falling back on a recent file or system backup may help get your documents back (at least in a workably recent state).

Can I retrieve a Word document that wasn’t saved?

Whether you rely on Word for personal or business tasks, losing an unsaved document sucks.

If you don’t save your Word documents manually, your files can fall victim to an unexpected crash. If you’ve already experienced such loss, chances are you have a habit of pressing the «Save» button once (or twice) every so minutes. However, not many users have that habit.

Nonetheless, even if your system crashes with an unsaved document open, you can still recover it through several options.

You can recover unsaved files through Temporary Files, AutoRecover Files, Document Recovery, Recycle Bin, and Data Recovery solutions. We’ll explore all of those options more deeply a bit later in the article.

Does Word keep backup files?

Like most programs in its class, Microsoft Word has an in-built «auto-save» feature to automatically back up your progress every few minutes. The default auto-save folder to support this function is the AppData folder.

Examples of the file path to harvest copies of your work are:

C:UsersYour_UsernameAppDataLocalMicrosoftWord

Or

C:UsersYour_UsernameAppDataLocalTemp

Or

C:UsersYour_UsernameAppDataLocalMicrosoftOfficeUnsavedFiles

Word backup files carry the «.wbk» extension. If you haven’t disabled the backup option in Word, the program will make copies of your documents regularly.

To check if the backup option is active, go to «File» -> «Options» -> «Advanced»; then scroll down to the «Save» section -> select «Always create backup copy».

Can Word save to the Cloud? 

Yes, it can. If you rely on the native Windows option, your documents will be uploaded to OneDrive.

Having your documents on the cloud enables easier sharing and improves collaboration. It also allows easier mobile access (from a PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet) and enhances data protection.

To save files to the cloud, do the following:

1.      Select the «File» menu and go for the «Save As» option;

2.      Choose «OneDrive»;

3.      Choose a descriptive file name and go for «Save».

You can save personal and payment information to OneDrive – Personal, with work-related files going to a company OneDrive. You can also pick an alternative location in the list or «Add a Place» of your preference.

If you’re using a third-party backup solution like Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, you can upload backup files to the Acronis cloud. Storing your files with a dedicated cloud backup service provides improved cybersecurity via backup encryption, automated backups, and concrete data recovery processes.

How do I restore a permanently deleted file?

Multitasking on a device may lead to losing critical data. (files, documents, images, audio, video, etc.)

Sometimes, you can get distracted and accidentally delete files and folders. The most common reasons for an accidental deletion are:

·        Accidentally emptying your Recycle Bin;

·        Erasing documents via «Shift+Delete» keys;

·        Deleting files via the command line;

·        Deleting files with the «Do not move deleted files to Recycle Bin» option enabled

File deletion or corruption can also result from malware or virus infection on your device.

Fortunately, you can recover perma-deleted data and documents in several feasible ways. Not all of them are guaranteed to recover permanently deleted documents, but you may try all of them in order when needed.

You can still recover seemingly perma-deleted files due to how your hard drive operates. Every file on your device resides on a specific portion of the hard drive. When you delete a file from your hard drive, the drive removes the deleted data and marks the space it used to occupy as «free» for writing new data.

However, the file can be restored to its original location unless you write new data on the newly available space. Remember, you need to act quickly – even if you don’t save new data to the hard drive manually, your computer can initiate updates or save system data on the newly available space.

In such a scenario, recovering permanently deleted files becomes close to impossible.

 How to recover deleted Word documents via Backup?

Windows 10 and 11 pack a new feature called Backup and Restore.

The option enables users to create backups of their data to restore them later if needed. To recover permanently deleted files via Backup and Restore, you’d need to have enabled the option on your Windows device.

Here’s how to do it:

·        Connect the external media carrier holding the backup to your primary device

·        Go to «Control Panel» -> select «System and Security» -> click «Backup and Restore (Windows 7)» option

·        Once in the Backup and Restore menu, go for the «Restore my files» option -> a Restore wizard will pop up to start file recovery

·        If you can’t find the «Restore my files» option, go for the «Select another backup to restore files» option. Again, a wizard will pop up to assist you with your recovery

Recovering via Backup and Restore will replace all data on your Windows device with backed-up data. So, to avoid further data loss, make sure the backup contains all your crucial data.

How to recover deleted Word documents via Previous Windows 10/11 version?

Windows 10 and 11 offer another convenient feature to restore permanently deleted files – the «File History» option. If you had enabled the option before deleting a document, you could use it to recover permanently deleted files without additional software.

To do so:

·        Type «File History» in the Start menu or the Windows search bar

·        Select «File History Settings»

·        From the left panel on the pop-up window, choose «Restore personal files»

·        Navigate the feature to the backup you wish to restore. You can do that via the left and right navigation buttons at the bottom of the window. While you switch between backups, you can preview backup dates and the folders within them

·        Once you’ve located the specific backup storing the deleted documents, press the «Restore» button to recover the files to their original location

·        If Windows suggests it already carries a file with the same name in the destination folder, go for the «Replace the file in the destination» option

Lastly, close the window and check if the recovery is successful.

How to recover deleted Word documents via Command Prompt?

Sometimes, files and folders can be hidden due to the «Hidden files and folders» feature in Windows. You can use the Command Prompt to try and recover them.

To do so:

·        Type in «cmd» in the Search Bar on the Start menu

·        Choose the «Run as administrator» option

·        Type chkdsk *: /f in the Command Prompt. The * represents the letter of your hard drive, so replace it properly. Once you do, hit «Enter»

·        Type ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D D:*.* in the Command Prompt window. Here, replace the «D» with the letter corresponding to your hard drive. Once you do, hit «Enter» again

A recovery process should start immediately if you’ve followed the above steps successfully. Let it finish and check if your files have been restored.

How to recover deleted Word documents via System Restore?

If you’re running Windows 10 or 11, you can opt for a System Restore to recover permanently deleted files. As System Restore takes regular (automated) snapshots of your whole OS, you can revert any unwanted changes to your system by reverting it to a previous point in time.

However, you’d need to have activated the System Restore option beforehand.

To recover perma-deleted files via System Restore, you need to:

·        Type in «create a restore point» in the Start menu or Windows search bar, and click «Enter»

·        Select «System Restore»

·        Go through potential system restore points in time and select the most appropriate to recover the deleted document; then, click «Next»

·        Confirm the specific restore point and choose «Finish»

·        Your PC or laptop will then restart to allow Windows to apply the changes

Although this option is convenient, you must remember that System Restore may affect recently installed drives, programs, and browser updates. As its primary goal is to repair your Windows environment, it will revert your device to an older version of itself. And that older version may not have some programs or apps installed or updated correctly.

Nonetheless, before the System Restore process starts, the feature will show you a window containing all programs that will be affected by it. This way, you can back up all potentially affected programs and files before you revert your system.

How to recover deleted Word documents via System Image Recovery?

System Image backup enables users to back up the entirety of a Windows 10 or 11 OS. However, the feature doesn’t allow single file and folder backup, so you wouldn’t be able to restore individual documents if needed.

Here, it’s either recover everything or don’t recover anything.

To recover documents via System Image Recovery, you need to:

·        Type «settings» in the Start menu or Windows search bar, and click «Enter»

·        Browse and select «Update & Security»

·        From the options list on the left, go for «Recovery»

·        Save the progress on any open documents or programs

·        Then, go for the «Restart now» button (you can find it under «Advanced Startup»)

·        Afterward, select “Troubleshoot” -> “Advanced Options” -> “See more recovery options” -> “System Image Recovery”

·        Browse through the list of System Image backup files and select the one containing the deleted document, then click «Next»

·        Choose additional restore options, then click «Next»

·        Review all System Image properties and click on «Finish» to start the restoration process

Once the restoration is complete, the deleted document should be restored to its original location. (or an alternative location, if you’ve chosen so in the Restore settings)

How to recover  deleted Word documents via a third-party Backup solution?

If you’re using a dedicated backup solution, you can initiate data recovery and restore permanently deleted files from your device.

For example, Acronis Backup and Recovery enables users to initiate efficient backups with over 20 supported platforms. Via the cloud, your data is securely stored in physical, cloud, virtual, and mobile environments.

If you need to recover files from Acronis backup, you can do it via the user-friendly interface.

To do so:

·        Start Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office -> select «Backup» on the sidebar

·        Select the backup containing the deleted documents from the backup list

·        On the panel to the right, select «Recovery»

·        The interface will present you with possible recovery models for the selected backup; depending on the backup’s type, you’d be able to choose from «Entire PC», «Disks», «Partitions», and «Files» options. To recover one or more documents, select «Files»

·        Cyber Protect Home Office will display the backup’s properties and the data inside it. Then, select a specific version of the backup based on the date and time. The default option here is the latest backup

·        The panel on the left lets you navigate the files you wish to restore in the panel on the right; after you select all needed documents, press «Next»

·        Choose a recovery destination on your device to place the selected documents after restoration. Here, you have two options – recover the data to its original location or choose a new location via the «Browse» button

·        You can customize the recovery settings for the current session via the «Recovery options» menu.

·        Once you’re done with the settings, go for the «Recovery now» button.

You can terminate recovery via the «Cancel» button at any time. However, aborted recoveries can still cause changes in the selected destination folder, so only go for the option if absolutely necessary.

Tips on preventing your Word Files from being deleted or unsaved

How to recover Unsaved Word Document?

We rely heavily on autosaves, yet huge chunks of progress and entire versions of documents can be lost when we don’t manually save our work. The good news is, this problem is so common that Microsoft has made it easy to recover unsaved Word documents:

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file tab in MS Word

1. In MS Word, click the File Tab in the upper left.

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manage document button

2. Click Manage Document and select Recover Unsaved Documents from the drop-down list.

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unsaved word documents

3. Check for your missing file in the dialog box. If it was a recent loss it should appear.

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save as button

4. Open the recovered Word document and click the Save As button in the top banner.

Did You Know?

You can update the frequency with which Microsoft Word autosaves your documents. Click File > Options > Save and change the number of minutes to ensure you have a recoverable version of all your docs available in case you need to recover Word documents in the future.

Knowing how to recover deleted Word documents will make you seem like a wizard to many of the people in your office, but it’s not complicated at all. Whether you’re trying to recover MS Word documents that were accidentally deleted or compromised by malware, there are a few easy steps that could help you get it back.

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how to recover a deleted word document from a recycle bin

1. On your desktop, open the Recycle Bin

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recovering a deleted document min

2. Search for your file by document name, file type, or date deleted. If you find your missing file, note the Original Location. When you recover deleted Word documents, they automatically are restored to that location.

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restoring a deleted document

3. Restore the deleted document and either find it in its original location or click Quick Access to find it in the Recent Files list.

Did You Know?

When a file is deleted you’re actually just removing a marker that points to where the file was stored on the disc. The file actually exists on the disc until its space is overwritten by new information. Until that happens, you have a chance to recover Word documents.

How to recover Word Documents after a Crash?

Recovering Word documents that didn’t save doesn’t always stem from user errors. Whether your system unexpectedly went down or Microsoft Word crashed, Word documents can be recovered if you quickly search for the lost files before other files can take their disk space.

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open ms word 2016
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recover word document after crash

1. When your system comes back online, reopen Microsoft Word. The program automatically recovers unsaved Word documents in most cases.

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word options save

2. If your document doesn’t appear in the AutoRecover list, click on File, then Options, then Save.

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word autorecover location

3. Copy the AutoRecover file location filepath and paste it into File Explorer.

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asd file word 2016

4. Open the folder with your document’s name and copy the .asd file with the most recent modification date and time.

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recover unsaved documents

5. Return to MS Word, click File, then Open, then scroll to the bottom of the recent documents list and click Recover Unsaved Documents.

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6. Paste the copied file into the folder that pops up and open the file to recover it.

Did You Know?

One of the most common reasons for Microsoft Word crashing is corrupt add-on or template. If your program consistently crashes, try running Word without any of these features loaded to see if that helps to improve reliability.

Can I recover a permanently deleted word doc without a backup?

Recovering a permanently deleted file via backup is the easiest and most reliable option. However, sometimes, users don’t have the chance to add a specific document to the backup. If they then accidentally delete the document, recovery gets a hell of a lot more complicated.

In such a scenario, you have two primary options.

The first one is to use data recovery software. Nowadays, many recovery tools claim to have an exceptionally high rate of recovering permanently deleted files. Usually, such solutions can recover over 1000 file types and formats and claim to restore data even from corrupted partitions or bad sectors on your hard drive.

They typically operate by collecting the lost data bit-by-bit until they can fully restore its original state. Such an approach can prove handy occasionally, but that depends heavily on the state of your computer’s hard drive.

If you lose a document due to a bad sector on your hard drive, the software may not be able to recover all of the document’s pieces successfully. This may lead to an altered version of the document or may not be able to restore it at all. In such a case, the document would be lost unless you have it stored in some form of backup.

This leads us to the second option.

Suppose a user perma-deletes a document by accident. In that case, most often, their reaction is to panic, especially if they don’t have the document stored in a backup outside their primary device.

However, we live in a technologically webbed world – anyone can send documents to multiple recipients via email, social media platforms, or free cloud services.

You can go through old emails, check DropBox or OneDrive shared storage, or go through your correspondence on Facebook and Instagram to find the deleted file. Nonetheless, if you’re 100% sure you haven’t sent the document to anyone, you can opt for the data recovery software option.

As we’ve mentioned, AutoSave is an in-built feature available in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. (given you have a Microsoft 365 subscription)

AutoSave saves the progress on your Word files every few seconds unless you tell it otherwise. If you store your Word files on OneDrive, SharePoint, or OneDrive for Business, AutoSave is enabled by default.

To save a copy of your work before implementing any changes, it’s better to use the command «File -> Save a Copy» rather than «File -> Save As». That way, AutoSave will not overwrite the original document with the changes you make afterward.

If you skip that step and end up with an overwritten document, you can still restore the original via Version History. To do so:

·        Open the Word file you wish to restore to a previous version

·        At the top of the windows, click on the filename and go for «Version History»

·        Review the dates and times of all versions to find the one you wish to restore -> click «Open Version»

·        An additional window will pop up and show you the specific version of the document

·        Once you’ve made sure this is the version you want to restore, click «Restore»

Whenever you open a Word document and make first changes, AutoSave will save those changes by adding a new file version to Version History. Afterward, AutoSave will regularly save changes to the document but only add new versions to Version History about every 10 minutes until you terminate the session. (ending the session means closing the Word document)

How do I get Microsoft Word to save AutoRecover versions every minute?

If you’re handling critical information via Word documents, saving a version of the file every 10 minutes may seem risky. However, Microsoft has thought of that – you can change the AutoRecover frequency to any number that suits you.

Here’s how to do it:

·        Open Word and go to File -> Options -> Save

·        You’ll see a settings section labeled «Save documents»

·        Under the «Save documents» line, type your chosen number (of minutes) in the «Save AutoRecover information every (…)» box

·        Once done, press «OK»

If you want to change the location for AutoRecover documents, go to:

·        File -> Options -> Save

·        Under the «Save documents» line, browse or type in the save path for saved documents in the «AutoRecover file location» field

·        Once done, press «OK»

The AutoRecover settings window allows you to also:

·        Disable AutoSave for OneDrive and SharePoint online files by default

·        Change the cache location for AutoRecover files. The default should be «C:UsersYour_UsernameAppDataRoamingMicrosoft[OFFICEAPPFOLDER]

·        Enable AutoSave on the computer by default

According to Microsoft, however, there is no option to use AutoSave locally in Office 2019 or 2021. Nonetheless, the AutoRecovery feature is still active to periodically save copies of your Word files to negate accidental data loss due to a crash.

Can I turn on AutoRecover in Word for Mac?

As with Windows, AutoRecover is available for Mac to protect the progress on your Word documents. Its default function here is the same – it makes a copy of your document every 10 minutes.

To enable AutoRecover and set the timeframe for making copies, you need to:

·        With Word open on your Mac, go to the «Word» submenu on the top

·        Choose «Preferences»

·        Choose the «Save» option

·        Choose «Save Auto-Recovery Information» and type in the duration you wish to set for AutoRecover copy creation

Microsoft advises users not to rely on AutoRecover as a substitute for manually saving their documents. (by clicking on the «Save» icon)

The most optimal way to preserve changes to your document is by manually saving it after every significant change. Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to set the AutoRecover timer to 5 minutes instead of 10 to guarantee you won’t lose progress due to a crash.

Keep in mind, when you manually save a document, its previous AutoRecover versions are removed.

On the other hand, AutoSave is a feature that saves your documents as you work on them. It works as if you’ve manually saved your progress. For Mac, AutoSave is available in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Mac and Microsoft 365 subscribers.

If you have AutoSave enabled, it’s less likely you’d need to rely on AutoRecover files.

Where is Autosave in Word located on Mac?

The AutoSave and AutoRecover features are linked in the Word menu. The path to enable AutoSave follows the same steps as with AutoRecover. However, you’ll have a few extra steps to complete before AutoSave is active for Word on your Mac.

Here’s how to do it:

·        Open Word

·        From the top menu, choose «Word» -> «Preferences»

·        Click on the «Save» icon

·        Tick the checkbox labeled «Turn on AutoSave by default»

·        From the Word document, enable the AutoSave toggle to save your progress to the cloud (OneDrive or SharePoint)

·        Explore more options from the AutoSave tab and select the «Automatically Save» option

·        The AutoSave toggle will appear on the top side of the Word toolbar

·        Name the document you’re working on and choose OneDrive or SharePoint as the storage location of the Word file

·        Click «Save» to enable AutoSave to store changes in your desired location in real-time

·        Your document will then be uploaded to the chosen location

·Once that’s done, AutoSave is on, and all changes you make to the document will be saved to OneDrive or SharePoint

Where can I find AutoSave Word documents on my computer?

If a power failure or a crash occurs, AutoRecover will typically recover the last version of your Word document automatically when you launch the app. Once AutoRecover opens the existing recovery file, it’s best to save it before editing or closing it immediately.

However, you may need to find AutoRecover files on your computer for other reasons. To do so:

·        Switch to Finder

·        Click «Go»

·        Click «Go to Folder» (you can also use the SHIFT + COMMAND + G combo)

·        Enter the specific folder path corresponding to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint

For Word:

/Users/Your_Username/Library/Containers/com.Microsoft/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery

For Excel:

/Users/Your_Username/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft

For PowerPoint: /Users/Your_Username/Library/Containers/com.Microsoft.Powerpoint/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery

Just a reminder: Replace «Your_Username» with your actual username.

As the AutoRecovery folder is hidden, typically, you won’t be able to find it by navigating in Finder. That’s why you need to use the «Go to Folder» feature and type in the full path to reach the folder.

Additionally, if you close a Word document and click «Don’t Save», the AutoRecover option won’t be active. The feature will delete the AutoRecover file because it assumes everything is okay and you wouldn’t need the AutoRecover file.

Can Microsoft Word recover previous versions of my document?

If you have turned the AutoRecover option on, it will automatically save versions of your documents regularly. (usually, at 10-minute intervals)

Once you have the AutoRecover files for your document, you can recover them depending on when you saved them.

There are two options: recover a saved file or an unsaved one.

If you have saved the document, you have to:

·        Open the document you were working on

·        Select “File” -> “Info”

·        Find «Manage Documents» and choose the file labeled (when I closed without saving)

·        A bar on the top of the file will appear; choose «Restore» to overwrite any previously saved versions

You can also compare AutoRecover versions by choosing «Compare» instead of «Restore».

If you haven’t saved the document, you have to:

·        Open Word and go for “File” -> “Info” -> “Manage Document” -> “Recover Unsaved Documents”

·        Select the specific file and click «Open»

·        In the top file bar, choose «Save As» to save the document

If you have stored AutoRecover files in OneDrive or SharePoint in Microsoft 365, you can view all historical versions of a document.

To do so in Office 365:

·        Open the file you want to inspect

·        Select “File” -> “Info” -> “Version History”

·        Browse through versions and select them to open them in a separate window

·        If you want to restore the document to one of the previous versions, choose «Restore»

Keep in mind, if you operate via a Microsoft account, you’d be able to retrieve the last 25 versions of a document. If you sign in with a school or work account, the retrievable version volume will depend on your library configuration.

To view AutoRecover versions in Office 2019-2016:

·        Open the document you want to inspect

·        Click “File” -> “History”

·        Choose a version to open in a separate window

If you can’t locate the «History» tab on the Word navigation pane, you may have a subscription version of Microsoft Office. If that’s the case, click the «Info» button and try accessing Version History from there.

To view AutoRecover versions on Mac:

·        Open the document you want to view

·        If you are using Microsoft 365 for Mac, choose the name of the document from the app’s title bar -> click «Browse Version History»

If you’re running Office 2016 or 2019 for Mac, go for «File» -> «Browse Version History»

·        Browse AutoRecover versions and choose which ones to open in a separate window.

To view AutoRecover versions on the web:

·        Open the document you want to view

·        Go for “File” -> “Info” -> “Version History”

·        Browse through AutoRecover versions and open the ones you want in a separate window

·        When you find the version you’re looking for, choose «Restore»

If you use SharePoint in Microsoft 365 to handle documents, you can track AutoRecover versions, share them with others, and check recycle bin storage if you accidentally delete a file.

How to search for Word doc which I know I saved?

If you’re sure you have saved a Word document but haven’t been able to locate it, worry not. There are several ways to unfold saved documents, even when you’re computer is swamped with Word files.

You can search a file via the taskbar, the Documents tab, or File Explorer.

To find a Word document via the taskbar, type in the document’s name (if you remember it correctly) into the search box on the Windows taskbar. If you don’t know the full name of the document, you can use a keyword from it.

You can get results even if you remember a keyword from the text body of the document. (and not its name)

Once you type the name or keyword, Windows will show all matches on your device and OneDrive.

You can select the Documents tab if you wish to narrow your search. Once you do, your search results will only show documents.

Moreover, you can open File Explorer from a taskbar shortcut or right-click the Windows Start menu and choose File Explorer. Afterward, you can select a location on your hard drive from the left window pane.

You can then search or browse to find the document you need. You can search your entire device by selecting «This PC», or go for «Documents» and only look for files stored there.

How to search for Word backup files?

Although Word backup is seamless once set up for users, finding specific Word backups may be difficult without preparation. Luckily, you can learn how to pinpoint different Word backups below.

Check Word settings

If you remember how to open the AutoSave settings in Word, you can skip the next set of instructions. If not, you need to:

·        Start Word -> click on «File»

·        Choose «Options» and then click on «Save» on the left

·        Ensure that the «Save AutoRecover information» option is enabled

Once you reach the settings window, go to the AutoRecover File Location field. Here, you can check the current AutoSave directory location.

By default, it would be «C:UsersYour_UsernameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWord»

Once you locate the AutoSave directory location, you need to:

·        Launch Word

·        Navigate to the AutoSave directory

·        Look for the version of the automatically saved backup and double-click it; the file will open in Word

As we’ve mentioned, the AutoSave directory may be a hidden folder on your computer, primarily if it resides in the AppData folder. However, you can bypass that by pasting the directory location in File Explorer’s address bar.

Nevertheless, you can navigate to the folder manually if you follow the path. Just make sure to reveal hidden items to be able to see the AppData folder. Once that’s done, you should easily find your way to the AutoSave directory.

Check the AppData folder

As we’ve said, the AppData folder is the default location for AutoSave backups. The pathing to the AutoSave directory can vary; the most common places to look are:

C:UsersYour_usernameAppDataLocalMicrosoftWord

and

C:UsersYour_usernameAppDataLocalTemp

Sometimes, the most recent AutoSave versions may use a different location. Most often, you’d be able to find them in

C:UsersYour_usernameAppDataLocalMicrosoftOfficeUnsavedFiles

As with previously shown paths, replace «Your_Username» with the username corresponding to your user account.

Regardless of which folder holds your Word backups, the AutoSave files have weird-looking names, especially for a casual user. They typically have a tilde before their name and the «.tmp» extension alongside a 4-digit number assigned to them.

Below are some examples of what Word backup files look like in different scenarios:

·        ~wrdxxxx.tmp – such a name relates to a Word document within an AutoSave folder;

·        ~wrfxxxx.tmp – such a name relates to a temporary document file;

·        ~wraxxxx.tmp – such a name relates to an AutoRecovery file;

Complete AutoRecovery files won’t carry the «.tmp» extension but rather the «.wbk» extension. Once you locate them, you can double-click them to open the document in Word. An important note is always to save the file after you open it.

How to use the Recover unsaved documents option?

Sometimes, you’re sure you’ve saved a Word document, but your PC crashes, and you can’t locate the file afterward.

In such cases, you can still recover the document from the AutoSave location. To do so:

·        Open Word and go to «File»

·        Click «Recent», then select «Recover Unsaved Documents»

·        You will be redirected to the AutoSave location folder; you can browse the documents here and find the one you’re looking for

Another path to reach the AutoSave folder is as follows:

“File” -> “Info” -> “Manage Versions” -> “Recover Unsaved Documents”

After you open the file, make sure to save it.

Check the Documents directory

To check the Documents directory, you should:

·        Start Word

·        Select «File», then choose «Open»

·        Go for «Browse» and navigate to the directory you suspect holds the document

·        Ensure to change the File Type of the folder from «All Word documents» to «All Files»

·        If you’ve opened the correct folder, you should be able to see all corresponding backup files; you should easily spot the specific file as it is typically titled «Backup of (…)»

·        Once you find the backup, you can open and save it

How to search your Windows temporary files manually?

In some instances, finding a backup file via traditional methods is more challenging, especially if you can’t find the AutoSave folder.

However, you can manually search for temporary files by tracking their extensions. Autosaved Word files usually carry the .asd or .wbk file extension.

To search for those, you should:

·        Press the Windows Key + E on your keyboard; this will launch the File Explorer

·        Once it’s up, click on the search bar on the top right

·        Type in «.asd» or «.wbk» (without the quotes)

·        Press «Enter»

·        Windows will now search for all .asd and .wbk extensions

·        Once the search is complete, you can browse through the matches and find the file you’re looking for

·        Upon finding the specific file, right-click it and choose «Open File Location»; this will open the AutoSave directory location so that you can see all automatically saved backup files

If searching for .asd and .wbk extensions doesn’t bear any fruits, you can search for .tmp extensions. However, .tmp files aren’t necessarily all Word files. Many of them can support files from other applications, so you’d have to do some sorting.

How to recover Word Documents through Data Recovery Programs?

If none of these methods help you recover unsaved Word documents, your best bet is either backup software or data recovery software.

As always, the most secure and reliable way to recover data is with regular full image backups. Whether you use a Windows PC, a Mac, or a mobile device, having up-to-date backups ensure that you don’t lose your files – no matter what.

That said, if you didn’t have a backup plan in-place and active when you lost your Word document, you won’t have a backup to restore the file from.

In this case, personal cyber protection solutions like Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office are the best way to help you recover Word documents. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is an easy-to-use software solution that allows you to backup up the entire contents of your system so in the event of a disaster, you can locate a lost file and restore the MS Word document with just a few clicks. 

Final Thought

Whether your Word doc was deleted, encrypted by malware or corrupted when it was saved on a faulty partition, you can recover it with Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office. When armed with regular backups, your docs can be recovered quickly and easily so you never have to worry about losing a Word doc or any other file ever again.

Does Microsoft Word Backup Files?

As Microsoft Office users, we have all endured the loss of unsaved documents, which also means all the efforts will be in vain if there is a power off or computer breakdown.

Microsoft Word backup can solve the problem of file loss due to situations such as not saving files in time and computer crashes. Thus, you may wonder whether Microsoft Word can backup files for safekeeping. Actually, the answer is yes.

Microsoft Word Automatic Backup

If you use Microsoft 365, the Word documents will automatically be saved to OneDrive. If you just use the Microsoft Office application, you have to back up your Microsoft Word regularly.

Backing up your documents is always a good thing to do, but not always something we remember to do. Microsoft Word can automatically create backup of your Word document every time you save it. Next, we’ll show you how to do it.

Best 4 Ways to Backup Microsoft Word

We list 4 ways for Microsoft Word backup in the following, including Microsoft Word local backup and Word online backup, please continue reading this article to learn how to back up documents automatically.

Way 1. Use Microsoft Word Automatic Backup

Microsoft allows you to backup word documents locally. If the program crashes or your computer accidentally losses power, Word document backup is the guaranteed way of retaining a valid copy of your work.

Here are the steps to enable Microsoft automatic backup for Word documents:

1. Click the FILE button in Microsoft Word, then choose Options in the list of items on the left.

File Options

2. On the Word Options dialog box, click the Save tab, and then tick the Save AutoRecover information every *** minutes and the Keep the last AutoRecovered version if i close without saving option. 

Auto Save Recover Information

3. Then choose Advanced tab, scroll down to choose Always create backup copy and Allow background saves.

Always Create Backup Copy

After that, you will get a Microsoft Word backup document prefixed with .wbk when you save the Word. Generally speaking, you could find the backup files of your Word documents in the following path if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription.

  • C:UsersYourUserNameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWord
  • C:UsersYourUserNameAppDataLocalMicrosoftOfficeUnsavedFiles

Way 2. Use Microsoft Word Automatic Backup Software 

Here we introduce a free backup software for Microsoft Word automatic backup, AOMEI Backupper Standard, which is a free and simple program. AOMEI Backupper Standard can backup Microsoft Word to multiple destinations like a local disk, NAS, USB, SD card, or external hard drive, cloud and many more.

If you want to have try to create Microsoft Word auto backup, just follow these steps:

1. Download the AOMEI Backuppepr Standard and launch it.

2. Choose the Backup tab and then click File Backup.

file backup

3. Next, click Add Folder or Add File to add your Microsoft Word Documents on your computer.

add folder or add file

4. Choose the folder button to select the external hard drive, USB, or other storage devices as the backup destination.

destination

Tips: If you want it to back up your files automatically, you can click the Schedule button to make Microsoft Word backup daily, weekly or monthly, and more.

scheduled

5. Then, please do not forget to click Start Backup to backup Microsoft Word automatically.

Way 3. Backup Microsoft Word to OneDrive

The steps are as follows to backup Microsoft Word to OneDrive:

1. Move all your Microsoft Word documents to one of the three folders (Desktop, Documents, Pictures).

2. Download and install the OneDrive desktop app on your computer. After clicking Get Started, Sign in to your Microsoft account.

set uo mac

3. On the This is your OneDrive folder page, click Next tab to accept the default folder location for your OneDrive files.

folder location

4. Click Help & Settings > Settings, then Sync and backup > Manage backup.

onedrive management backup

5. In the Back up your folders dialog box, check the folders you want to backup are selected.

onedrive file backup

6. Then, click the Start backup button to backup Microsoft Word files to OneDrive . 

Way 4. Better Way to Do Microsoft Word Automatic Backup

Compared with backup files to external hard drives or SD cards, backing up Microsoft Word documents to the cloud can give your data stronger protection, a process that requires the help of a professional cloud backup product. Here we provide the best free cloud backup service — CBackup, which specializes in PC to cloud backup and cloud to cloud backup.

CBackup not only has infinite possibilities when it comes to storage space, but also it’s a safer and more convenient way to back up your files. This software empowers you to make instant and scheduled backups for Microsoft Word documents. It also provides highlighted features, for instance: unlimited version management, file filter, email notifications, and so on to make cloud backup easier.

It supports mainstream clouds like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and so on.

Now, let’s see how to auto backup Word documents to Google Drive via CBackup for free:

1. Download and install it on your computer. Run it and sign up.

2. Under the Storage window, select Google Drive, then click Authorize Now.

Select Google Drive

Note: When adding a cloud drive, CBackup will direct you to the cloud drive provider’s authorization server. In such a case, CBackup never saves your login information like cloud account and password.

3. Select the Backup, and click on Backup PC to Public Cloud.

create task

4. Select the Microsoft Word files that you want to backup. And then choose Google Drive as the destination.

5. Hit Settings (bottom left corner) > Scheduler to enable schedule backup.

schedule

Tips: Here you could enable email notification and file filter to get email alerts after the backup is finished and exclude the file types that you don’t want to back up.

6. And then click Start Backup to backup your Microsoft Word files to Google Drive automatically.

start backup

Moreover, If you would like to sync Microsoft Word documents to the cloud like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more easily, CBackup will do you a big favor.

Meanwhile, you could merge multiple cloud drives into one huge backup space, even free unlimited cloud storage space via CBackup if your Google Drive storage space gets full.

Conclusion

According to the contents above, you can learn about four ways to set up a Microsoft Word backup. In fact, the first three ways are a little bit complicated, so, you are suggested to perform Microsoft Word online backup with CBackup, which can save you much time and effort. What’s more, CBackup offers you the free 10GB cloud storage space of CBackup Cloud, and you could upgrade to 1TB or more at a good price if you’re planning to store more important files, just give it a try.

We may want to secure some important Word data by saving it to a backup document. In this article, we will then look at how to enable Word to create a backup copy automatically.

Data loss is unavoidable for all Word users. Both external and internal factors can result in file corruption. Therefore, for some important documents, we may want to create a backup copy. But don’t bother to do it manually for each document. Because you can enable Word to create a backup copy of our files automatically. So, every time you save a Word File, Word program automatically create a backup copy of your document. In the following section, we will talk about how to achieve this functionality in detail.

Enable the Backup Option

  1. Switch to “File” menu, and click “Options”. Switch to “File” menu
  2. In the subsequent pop up window, we select “Advanced” tab.Click advanced
  3. Scroll down through the list to find “Save” page. And tick the “Always create backup copy” checkbox. Then click “OK” to save it.Tick the “Always create backup copy” checkbox
  4. By doing so, we have successfully created a backup of our word document. Automatically, Word saves your last created version in the backup copy, as we can see below in the Windows Explorer. word stores the backup file in the same file path as the original file. Of course, to double ensure the safety of your backup copy, you can also move the file into other locations on your disks. That way, you can rely on the backup copy of your document to restore the lost data.Find backup copy in windows explorer

Repair Corrupted Original File via Recovery Tool

Certainly, we can rely upon a backup version to salvage our data. However, if something goes wrong with our original files, we can also acquire an external recovery tool DataNumen Word Repair to repair the corrupt document. This tool is capable of fixing severely damaged Word files effectively. In addition, its recovery rate is also well ahead of its peers.

What If Your Backup Copy is Also Damaged

Typically, we tend to keep the backup version in the same computer as our original file. Therefore, in times of data disaster, all of the files in our computer might be damaged. Therefore, backing up Word file is not necessarily the surest way to keep our data safe. Because the backup copy are also very likely to be corrupted or damaged. But don’t need to panic, there is remedy to it.

  1. Change the .wbk file extension to .docx.
  2. Repair the backup file with an effective Word repair tool. Select the file path in the following box and Click “Start Repair”.Repair with external repair tool

This tool is able to recover your damaged word file in short time. And more importantly, it will restore it in the same structure as in corrupted file.

Author Introduction

Kelly Zhao is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including excel recovery and pdf repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com

На чтение 2 мин Опубликовано 18.10.2015

Как создать резервную копию файлов Word

Выполнять резервное копирование документов – это полезная привычка, о которой мы не всегда вспоминаем. Word может автоматически создавать резервную копию документа каждый раз, когда Вы сохраняете его. В этой статье мы покажем, как это делается.

Чтобы настроить в Word автоматическое создание резервной копии документов, откройте вкладку Файл (File).

Как создать резервную копию файлов Word

В меню слева нажмите Параметры (Options).

Как создать резервную копию файлов Word

В левой части диалогового окна Параметры Word (Word Options) нажмите Дополнительно (Advanced).

Как создать резервную копию файлов Word

Сохранение на диск маленького документа происходит очень быстро. Однако по мере увеличения размера или при сохранении документа на внешнее хранилище, процесс замедляется и может занять гораздо больше времени. Чтобы избежать остановок в работе, Word позволяет сохранять документ в фоновом режиме, и пока происходит этот процесс, Вы можете продолжать работу над документом. Чтобы включить эту возможность, поставьте галочку для параметра Разрешить фоновое сохранение (Allow background saves), который находится в разделе Сохранение (Save)

Замечание: Когда в Word выполняется сохранение документа, в строке состояния появляется анимированный диск. Если диск исчезает, значит сохранение завершено.

Как создать резервную копию файлов Word

Нажмите ОК, чтобы закрыть диалоговое окно Параметры Word (Word Options).

Как создать резервную копию файлов Word

Замечание: Прежде чем будет создана резервная копия, Вы должны хотя бы один раз сохранить свой документ. Резервная копия сохраняется в той же папке, что и оригинал документа. Вы можете открыть её для редактирования в Word так же, как и любой другой файл .doc или .docx.

Резервная копия документа – это обычная копия файла с пометкой Копия (Backup of) и с расширением .wbk. Хранится только одна резервная копия документа. Когда Вы вновь сохраняете документ, существующий файл .wbk удаляется, а точнее заменяется текущим файлом.

Поддерживаемое Word автоматическое создание резервных копий не может заменить регулярное резервное копирование файлов на внешние файловые или в облачные хранилища.

Оцените качество статьи. Нам важно ваше мнение:

Backing up your documents is always a good thing to do, but not always something we remember to do. Word can automatically create a backup copy of your Word document every time you save it and we’ll show you how to do this.

To have Word automatically save backup copies of your documents, click the “File” tab.

On the backstage screen, click “Options” in the list of items on the left.

On the “Word Options” dialog box, click “Advanced” in the list of items on the left.

When your document is small, saving to disk is a fairly quick process. However, as your document grows, or if you start saving your document to an external storage device that’s not as speedy as the internal hard drive, saving the document can take quite a bit more time. To overcome this delay, Word allows you to save your document in the background so you can continue to work on the document while it’s being saved. To turn on this feature, select the “Allow background saves” check box so there is a check mark in the box.

NOTE: An animated disk displays on the status bar in Word while a document is being saved. When the disk disappears, the save is complete.

Click “OK” to close the “Word Options” dialog box.

NOTE: Before a backup copy is created, you must save your document more than once. The backup copy is saved in the same folder as the original document. You can open it in Word and edit it as you would any “.doc” or “.docx” file.

The backup of your Word document is nothing more than a copy of the file with “Backup of” prepended to the beginning of the file and the file extension changed to “.wbk”. Only one backup copy of a document is maintained. When you save the document again, the existing “.wbk” file is deleted, the current document is renamed as the updated “.wbk” file, and the document is saved again as a standard Word document.

Having Word create automatic backups of your documents should NOT be used as a substitute for backing up your files to external media or cloud storage (or both) on a regular basis.

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