In Microsoft Word, how can I use the AutoRecover feature to restore a document? (2024)

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Microsoft Word allows you to make an automaticbackup of your working document. If the program crashes or yourcomputer accidentally loses power, the AutoRecover feature willattempt to load the most up-to-date version of your document.

Note: AutoRecover is not a replacement for savingyour document frequently, which is the only guaranteed way ofretaining a valid copy of your work.

On this page:

  • Enabling and using AutoRecover
    • Finding AutoRecovered files inWindows
    • Finding AutoRecovered files in Mac OS X
  • Changing the defaultAutoRecover folder
    • Word 2010 and 2007
    • Other versions of Word

Enabling and using AutoRecover

To turn on the AutoRecover feature:

  1. In Word 2010, from the File menu, selectOptions. Then, from the toolbar on the left, clickSave to configure AutoRecover options. Proceed to step 3below.

    In Word 2007, from the Office Button menu, selectWord Options. Then, from the toolbar on the left, clickSave to configure AutoRecover options.

    In Word 2003, from the Tools menu, selectOptions....

    In Mac OS X versions of Word, from theWord menu, select Preferences....

  2. In the window that opens, click the Save tab, icon, orlist item.
  3. If it is unchecked, check Save AutoRecover infoevery:, and type a value next to "minutes". For example, tosave your work every five minutes, type 5.
  4. Click OK to make the change.

If a system or program crash causes your computer to shut down, reboot and open Word normally. Word should recognize that there is anAutoRecovered file that is newer than the last saved version of yourdocument. It will prompt you to open and save the AutoRecovered file.

If the AutoRecover function does not prompt you to open the backupfile, you may still be able to recover your work. Search your harddrive for a file called AutoRecovery or*.asd. In Windows, for help searching your hard drive,see ARCHIVED: In Windows, how do I locate a file if I know itsname or its contents? Then follow the appropriate instructions below.

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Finding AutoRecovered files in Windows

Note: The folders containing the AutoRecoveredfiles may not be visible. To make them visible, see ARCHIVED: In Windows, how do I view hidden files?

Word for Windows saves AutoRecovered files with the nameAutoRecovery Save of filename.asd, wherefilename is the name of the document on which you wereworking:

  • In Windows 7 and Vista, the file is storedin the \Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Wordfolder (username will be replaced by the author'susername).
  • In Windows XP, the file is stored in the\Documents and Settings\username\ApplicationData\Microsoft\Word folder (username will bereplaced by the author's username).

When you find the file, double-click to open it. Alternatively, fromWord's File menu, choose Open... and browse tothe location of the file.

Finding AutoRecovered files in Mac OS X

Word for Mac OS X saves the AutoRecovered file as AutoRecoversave of filename, where filename is the name ofthe document on which you were working. The default AutoRecoverlocation is:

 /Users/username/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office version AutoRecovery/Autorecovery save of filename

Replace username with the short name of your account inMac OS X, Office version with the version of Office youhave, and filename with the name of the document. Ifit's not there, try searching for it with Spotlight, which you canaccess from the magnifying glass icon in the top right of theFinder menu bar. Once you find the file, drag it to theDesktop. Double-click it, or, from Word's File menu, chooseOpen... to browse to and open the file.

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Changing the default AutoRecover folder

To change the folder in which AutoRecovered files are stored:

Word 2010 and 2007

  1. In Word 2010, from the File menu, chooseOptions.

    In Word 2007, from the Office Button menu, selectWord Options.

  2. From the toolbar on the left, click Save, which willpresent you with options to customize how documents are saved.
  3. Next to AutoRecover file location:, clickBrowse to choose the folder where you want Word to save yourAutoRecovered files.
  4. Click OK.

Other versions of Word

  1. In Word 2003, from the Tools menu, selectOptions.... In Mac OS X versions of Word, from theWord menu, select Preferences....
  2. In the window that opens, click File Locations.
  3. Under "File types", choose AutoRecover files and clickModify....
  4. Choose the folder where you want Word to save your AutoRecoveredfiles. Click OK orChoose.
  5. Click Close or OK.

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This is document ahnd in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2018-01-18 12:30:30.

In Microsoft Word, how can I use the AutoRecover feature to restore a 
document? (2024)

FAQs

In Microsoft Word, how can I use the AutoRecover feature to restore a document? ›

If you need to recover an unsaved document using AutoRecover, start by opening Word. Often, if Word detects any autosaved documents that were not properly saved during the previous session, it will display these documents in the "Document Recovery" pane automatically.

How do I restore a File using AutoRecover feature? ›

Under "File types", choose AutoRecover files and click Modify.... Choose the folder where you want Word to save your AutoRecovered files. Click OK or Choose. Click Close or OK.

How to use AutoRecover in Word? ›

Here's how to do it:
  1. Open Word and go to File -> Options -> Save.
  2. You'll see a settings section labeled "Save documents"
  3. Under the "Save documents" line, type your chosen number (of minutes) in the "Save AutoRecover information every (…)" box.

How do I restore a document in Word? ›

Open the file you were working on. Click File > Info. Under Manage Documents, select the file labeled (when I closed without saving). In the bar at the top of the file, select Restore to overwrite any previously saved versions.

How do I recover a Word document from auto recovery? ›

Go to File / Manage Document in Microsoft Word and select the File tab. First select "Document Management," then choose "Recover Unsaved Documents." You will see a list of all unfinished Word documents in the new window. Click Open after selecting the files you want to see.

Can I recover a Word document I didn't save? ›

Step 1: Within Microsoft Word and after you open a new, blank document in it, select the File tab. Then choose the Info tab if it's not already selected by default. Step 2: Select the Manage document button. Step 3: Choose the Recover unsaved documents option that appears in the menu that pops up.

Does Word have a recovery mode? ›

Recover text from a damaged file in Word

Go to File > Open. On the Open menu select Recover Text.

Where does Word save AutoRecover files? ›

The default location is: C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\ Look for files with the extension . asd . These are AutoRecover files that Word has created.

What is the purpose of the AutoRecover feature in Microsoft Word? ›

Note AutoRecover or AutoSave does not replace the Save command. You should use the Save command to save your document at regular intervals and when you finish working on it. AutoRecover is only effective for unplanned disruptions, such as a power outage or a crash.

Where is Word AutoRecover files located? ›

Go to the AutoRecover file location field. Here, you will see the location of the autosave directory. By default, it is set to C:\Users\Your_username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\. However, you can always change that to your preferred location by clicking the Browse button.

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