
If you've lost a Word document, there are several methods you can use to try and recover it. The first step is to check the AutoRecover feature, which saves your document at intervals. If that doesn't work, you can try restarting Microsoft Word or your computer, which may trigger the 'Document Recovery' pane to appear, listing all recovered documents. You can also try manually searching for AutoRecover files, or using the Windows File Recovery tool if you're using Windows 10, version 2004 or later. If you're using Microsoft 365, you can check specific folder locations for a backup file, or try restoring a deleted document from the Recycle Bin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to recover unsaved Word document | Check the AutoRecover feature, which saves your document at intervals |
| How to check AutoRecover | Check if 'Save AutoRecover information' is ticked and note the folder path |
| How to see the entire Document Recovery pane | Hover over the right edge of the pane until you see an arrow pointing left and right, then click the arrow and drag it to the right |
| How to recover overwritten Word document | Check the document history or versioning within the application to see if you can revert to a previous version |
| How to recover accidentally deleted Word document | If you didn't empty the Recycle Bin, double-click on it, search for the document, and restore it |
| How to recover permanently deleted Word document | Use the Windows File Recovery tool, available on the Microsoft Store |
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What You'll Learn

Recovering unsaved Word documents
Microsoft Word has built-in features that can help you recover unsaved documents quickly and easily. These include tools like AutoRecover, AutoSave, and Document Recovery.
AutoRecover
AutoRecover automatically saves your document at regular intervals, typically every 10 minutes. You can adjust this setting by opening Word and going to Word > Preferences. To recover a document using AutoRecover, follow these steps:
- Open Word.
- Click on File > Open > Recent Workbooks (or press Cmd + O on a Mac).
- Navigate to the bottom of the window and click on Recover Unsaved Documents.
- Browse through the list of available unsaved documents and select the one you want to recover.
- Click Open to open the recovered document.
AutoSave
AutoSave saves your changes in real-time. To enable AutoSave, go to File > Options > Save and ensure that \"Save AutoRecover information\" is checked. If AutoSave is enabled, you can find your unsaved documents by following this path: C:\Users\UserAccount\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles.
Document Recovery
If a Microsoft 365 app closes unexpectedly before you save your changes, the next time you open the app, Document Recovery will automatically open. The Document Recovery pane will list any files that were recovered from the most recent time they were saved or AutoRecovered. To see the entire Document Recovery pane, hover over the right edge of the pane until you see an arrow pointing left and right, then click and drag it to widen the pane. To recover a document using Document Recovery, simply click on the file in the pane.
In addition to these built-in features, there are also third-party data recovery tools, such as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and Recoverit, that can help you recover unsaved Word documents.
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Using the AutoRecover feature
Microsoft Word has an AutoRecover feature that automatically saves your document at intervals, so you don't lose your work in the event of a crash or other unexpected closure.
By default, AutoRecover will save your document every 10 minutes, but you can change the frequency of saves. To do this, go to Save Documents and type your desired number of minutes into the Save AutoRecover information box. Select OK, and you're all set. You can also change where AutoRecovery files are stored.
If Word opens a document from SharePoint or OneDrive, the program uses AutoSave to save changes to the “cloud” document. If Word opens a document from your local disk or network shared folder, Word uses AutoRecover to save changes to an AutoRecover file. It is recommended that you leave the AutoSave and AutoRecover features set to On.
If you need to recover a document, reopen Word after a crash. The Document Recovery pane should appear, listing any recovered files. If you see multiple versions of the same file, open the one with the most recent time, as it will have the most recent changes. You can then continue working on the document or save it.
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Recovering overwritten Word documents
If you've accidentally overwritten a Word document, there are a few methods you can try to recover it. Here are some detailed steps to help you through the process:
First, check if you have any recent backups of the document. If you regularly back up your files, you can simply restore the previous version of the document from your backup. This is the easiest way to recover an overwritten file.
If you don't have a backup readily available, you can try using data recovery software. There are various options available, such as EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, which can help you scan your computer's hard drive for the overwritten document and potentially recover it.
Additionally, if you're using Microsoft 365, the Document Recovery feature can be a lifesaver. When a Microsoft 365 app crashes before saving your changes, the next time you open the app, the Document Recovery pane should appear. This pane lists any recovered files, including those recovered from AutoSave or AutoRecover. You can then select and open the file you want to recover and continue working on it.
To widen the Document Recovery pane and see all the recovered files, hover over the right edge of the pane and click the arrow. Then, drag the arrow to the right. If you see multiple versions of the same file, it's best to open the one with the most recent time, as it will have your latest changes.
Remember, prevention is key. Always save your work frequently and consider enabling AutoSave if you're using OneDrive or SharePoint. By taking proactive measures, you can avoid the stress of recovering overwritten documents in the future.
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Recovering accidentally deleted Word documents
If you've accidentally deleted a Word document, there are several methods you can try to recover it. Firstly, check if the document is still in your Recycle Bin. If it is, simply right-click on the file and select "Restore" to recover it.
If you've emptied your Recycle Bin, you may still be able to recover the document using the "Undo" feature. This can be found by right-clicking on the Recycle Bin icon and selecting "Undo Delete". Alternatively, you can use a data recovery software tool, such as the Windows File Recovery tool available from the Microsoft Store. This tool can help you recover files that have been permanently deleted.
If you were working on a Word document and it suddenly disappeared, it may not be saved in the first place. In this case, you can try using the AutoRecover feature by closing and reopening Word. Word searches for AutoRecover files every time it starts, and if it finds any recovered files, the Document Recovery task pane will open. You can then double-click on the file name in the Document Recovery pane and save it as a .docx file.
To ensure that you don't lose your work in the future, it's recommended to enable AutoSave if you're using OneDrive or SharePoint. Additionally, remember to save your work frequently to prevent data loss.
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Adjusting AutoRecover settings
AutoRecover is a feature in Microsoft Word that automatically saves the document you are working on at certain intervals. This feature runs in the background and keeps saving your changes even if you don't manually save your document. This allows you to recover your document if your PC malfunctions or if there is an accidental shutdown.
To adjust AutoRecover settings, follow these steps:
- Open any MS Word file.
- Select the File tab.
- From the left panel, choose Options. The Word Options wizard will appear.
- Select Save from the left pane.
- Check the box next to "Save AutoRecover information every x minutes" to enable AutoRecover. If you wish to disable the feature, uncheck the box.
- To change how frequently AutoRecover saves your document, type a number into the "Save AutoRecover information" box and select OK.
In addition to AutoRecover, Microsoft Word also offers an AutoSave feature. AutoSave saves all changes immediately to a copy of the document stored in the cloud. If you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber, it is recommended to store your files on OneDrive or SharePoint and use AutoSave.
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Frequently asked questions
If Word unexpectedly shuts down or your computer crashes, you may be able to recover the unsaved file from the Document Recovery pane. To do so, reopen Word after a crash and the 'Document Recovery' pane should appear. You can then click on the file to recover it.
If the Document Recovery pane does not appear, you can try to find the AutoRecover file location and manually recover your documents. Open a new blank document in Word, click on the File tab, and select Options. Check if 'Save AutoRecover information' is ticked and note the folder path.
If you can't find the AutoRecover file location, you can try using the Windows File Recovery tool if you're using Windows 10, version 2004 or later. You can also try checking the document history or versioning within the application to see if you can revert to a previous version.










































