Microsoft Word is a popular tool for many people, especially students and professionals. It helps them write and create their work. But sometimes, there’s a problem. You might accidentally lose your document! This could happen if you delete it by mistake or if the program crashes without saving your work. It’s frustrating when this happens.
So, is there a way to recover the unsaved file in word? yes, we’ll help you out.
How To Recover Unsaved File In Word?
You can find the work you lost in Microsoft Word. Let us look over different methods to retrieve unsaved Word documents.
Method 1: Find from the AutoRecover feature
You’ve realized your Word document is gone, and panic sets in. Take a deep breath and start with the built-in AutoRecover feature. Microsoft Word is designed to save your work automatically at regular intervals. Here’s how to use this feature to your advantage:
Step 1: Accessing AutoRecover Settings
Firstly, open Microsoft Word and navigate to the “File” tab. Select “Options” and click “Save” in the left sidebar. Look for the “Save AutoRecover information every” option. Adjust the interval to your preference, ensuring your work is consistently backed up.
Step 2: Locating AutoRecover Files
Now that you’ve configured AutoRecover, it’s time to find your lost document. Go to the “File” tab again, choose “Info,” and select “Manage Document.” Click on “Recover Unsaved Documents,” and a window will appear showcasing your AutoRecover files.
Step 3: Restoring Your Document
Identify the relevant file by checking the date and time stamps. Once located, select the file and click “Open.” Word will automatically save the document, and you can proceed with saving it in your desired location.
Method 2: Utilize Temporary Files
While the AutoRecover feature is a great initial step, Word also creates temporary files that might hold your unsaved content. Follow these steps to uncover these temporary gems and retrieve your document:
Step 1: Locate the Temporary File Directory
Temporary files are often stored in a specific directory on your computer. To access them, open File Explorer and enter the following path in the address bar: “%appdata%\Microsoft\Word”. This will take you to the location where Word’s temporary files are stored.
Step 2: Save the Recovered Content
If you’ve found the right temporary file. Save the content immediately by going to the “File” tab, selecting “Save As,” and choosing a secure location on your computer. This ensures you have a permanent copy of your retrieved document.
Method 3: Check the Document Recovery Pane
Microsoft Word has a Document Recovery Pane that acts as a safety net for unsaved documents. If your document disappeared due to a sudden crash or closure, this feature might just be your savior. Follow these steps to access and utilize the Document Recovery Pane:
Step 1: Reopen Word
Reopen Word, and you’ll likely be greeted by the Document Recovery Pane automatically.
Step 2: Review Recovered Documents
In the Document Recovery Pane, you’ll find a list of documents that were open before Word closed unexpectedly. These documents may include unsaved changes that Word managed to retrieve. Review the list carefully to identify your missing document.
Step 3: Save Recovered Document
Once you’ve identified your missing document in the Document Recovery Pane, select it from the list. Word will then present you with options to either open, save, or discard the recovered document. Choose the “Save As” option to save the document to a location of your choice on your computer.
Method 4: Use third-party recovery software
When all else fails, and you find yourself in a situation where conventional methods aren’t yielding results, turning to third-party recovery software can be the game-changer. Here’s how to go about using such tools:
Step 1: Choose Reliable Software
There are several third-party tools designed specifically for document recovery. Opt for a reputable and well-reviewed software package. Some popular choices include EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, Recuva, and Disk Drill.
Step 2: Download and Install
Once you’ve selected your preferred recovery software, download and install it on your computer. Follow the installation instructions provided by the software.
Step 3: Scan for Lost Documents
Launch the recovery software and initiate a scan on the drive where your Word document was last stored. The software will search for lost or deleted files, including unsaved Word documents.
Step 4: Preview and Recover
Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Preview the files to identify your unsaved Word document. Select the document and choose the option to find it back. Ensure you save the recovered document in a secure location on your computer.
Step 5: Verify Recovered Content
Open the recovered document using Microsoft Word and thoroughly check its contents to confirm that all your unsaved changes have been successfully restored.
Method 5: Use Document Recovery
MS Word comes with a default system to recover and retrieve unsaved files, So if you have forgotten to save a document or accidentally exited the application, here are the steps that you need to follow-
- First, open the MS Word App and then open the File menu from the top left corner section.
- Next, you need to click on the “Manage Document” button.
- After this, you need to navigate to the “Recover Unsaved Documents” by using the drop-down menu.
- Click on it. Your device will open a new screen. Here you will see all the auto-saved files.
- Next, find the desired one and then click on “Open.” MS Word will open another window with this file. You can save it or add content for future use.
Method 6: Restore from Recycle Bin
If you have accidentally deleted any Word document, you could go to the recycle Bin To retrieve it. The deleted files automatically go to Recycle Bin or Bin, which deletes the files after 30 days. It is one of the easiest ways that you can use to save accidentally deleted files.
- First, open the recycle Bin by double-clicking on its icon from your desktop screen. A new window will open.
- Here, the Bin will display all the deleted files. First, you need to find the desired Word document. Alternatively, you can also search for the file in case you remember its file name.
- Now you have to select it and click on “restore” or “retrieve.”
Conclusion
Losing an important document can be tough because it means more work and tiring searches. So, it’s better to close the Word app after saving your file. Also, make a backup by saving important files in cloud storage or on a pen drive.
If you accidentally lose a file, you can use the methods mentioned above to get it back easily.
FAQs:
What causes Word documents to be unsaved or lost?
Unsaved documents can result from crashes, accidental closures, or system errors.
Is there a built-in feature to recover unsaved documents in Word?
Yes, Word’s Autosave feature and document recovery options help retrieve unsaved files.
Can I recover unsaved documents without Autosave enabled?
Yes, Word stores temporary files that may contain unsaved changes.
Is there a time limit for recovering unsaved Word documents?
It’s best to attempt recovery promptly to prevent temporary file overwrite.
How can I prevent future loss of unsaved documents?
Enable and customize Autosave settings in Word to automatically save changes.
Are there third-party tools for recovering unsaved Word documents?
Yes, third-party recovery tools are available if built-in methods fail.
