Surely, many Microsoft Word users have encountered the following problem: you are typing a quiet text, editing it, formatting it, performing a number of necessary manipulations, when suddenly the program gives an error, the computer freezes, reboots, or the light simply turns off. What to do if you forgot to save the file in a timely manner, how to recover a Word document if you did not save it?
There are at least two ways in which you can recover an unsaved Word document. Both of them come down to the standard capabilities of the program itself and the Windows OS as a whole. However, it is much better to prevent such unpleasant situations than to deal with their consequences, and for this you need to configure the autosave function in the program for a minimum period of time.
So, if you are the victim of a system crash, a program error, or a sudden shutdown of your work machine, don't panic. Microsoft Word is a smart enough program that it automatically creates backup copies of the document you are working on. The time interval at which this happens depends on the autosave parameters set in the program.
In any case, for whatever reason Word shuts down, when you reopen it, the text editor will offer to restore the last backup copy of the document from a folder on the system drive.
1. Launch Microsoft Word.
2. A window will appear on the left "Document recovery", in which one or more will be presented backup copies“emergency” closed documents.
3. Based on the date and time indicated in the bottom line (below the file name), select the most recent version of the document you need to recover.
4. The document you selected will open in a new window, save it again to a convenient location on your hard drive to continue working. Window "Document recovery" in this file will be closed.
Note: It is likely that the document will not be completely restored. As mentioned above, the frequency of creating a backup copy depends on the autosave settings. If the time period is minimal (1 minute) - great, it means you will lose nothing or practically nothing. If it takes 10 minutes or even more, plus you also type quickly, you will have to retype a certain part of the text. But this is much better than nothing, wouldn’t you agree?
Once you have backed up your document, the file you opened first can be closed.
Manually restoring a file backup via the autosave folder
As mentioned above, smart Microsoft Word automatically creates backup copies of documents after a certain period of time. The default is 10 minutes, but you can change this setting to reduce the interval to one minute.
In some cases, Word does not offer to restore a backup copy of an unsaved document when you reopen the program. The only solution in this situation is to independently find the folder in which the document is backed up. Read below for information on how to find this folder.
1. Open MS Word and go to menu "File".
2. Select a section "Options", and then point "Saving".
3. Here you can view all autosave parameters, including not only the time interval for creating and updating a backup copy, but also the path to the folder in which this copy is saved ( "Data directory for autorecovery")
4. Remember, or better yet, copy this path, open the system "Conductor" and paste it into the address bar. Click "ENTER".
5. A folder will open that may contain quite a lot of files, so it’s best to organize them by date, from newest to oldest.
Note: A backup copy of the file can be stored at the specified path in a separate folder named the same as the file itself, but with characters instead of spaces.
6. Open a file that matches the name, date and time, select in the window "Document recovery" the last saved version of the required document and save it again.
The methods described above are applicable for unsaved documents that were closed along with the program for a number of not very pleasant reasons. If the program just freezes, does not respond to any of your actions, and you need to save this document, use our instructions.
That's all, now you know how to recover a lost Word document. We wish you productive and trouble-free work in this text editor.
Computer power outages, critical errors that occur in the system, unintentional closing - all this leads to the fact that an unsaved Word document (doc or docx) may be lost. But almost any data can be recovered; the main requirement is to know the methods and be able to use a PC. The methods presented below are sorted by difficulty: from the simplest to the most complex. It is recommended to apply the options in order of priority.
Option 1: Automatically recover a Word document
The Word text editor has a built-in ability to automatically recover a document. If a system failure occurs that results in a forced reboot of Windows, the program itself will offer to return the lost information. It looks like this:
Comment. The Word text editor provides an automatic recovery option only when you first start the program. When you reopen the utility, nothing will be offered. Don't miss this chance.
If the user did not save the Word document before closing, then you can try to force open it again. There is an important detail here: the method will not work if the user created a new Word document, typed the text and saved it. Algorithm:
- Create and open a blank sheet;
- In the upper left corner, go to the “File” section and click open;
- A window pops up in which you need to select “Open and restore”:
The most controversial method, since the effectiveness leaves much to be desired. In most cases, nothing happens to a clean file.
Option 2: Source file
Despite the lack of saving, the original Word file (doc or docx) could remain on the system. To find it, we use the following algorithm, consisting of two steps:
A list of files whose names match the entered keyword will appear. If the document is found, open it and view the contents.
Comment. This method is the simplest, but not ideal. The chance that the original document will remain on the computer after a critical error is extremely small.
Option 3: Autosave folder
Word (especially the latest versions) is quite smart. So, if the user did not change the standard parameters, then Every 10 minutes the document is automatically saved in a specially designated folder, which is called reserve. The folder is hidden, so it is not certain that searching using the method described above will help, so you will have to check the contents manually. To do this:
You can find the last saved file in the directory. The appearance may differ depending on the version. In Word 2010 the folder looks like this:
There is an alternative to this method. It consists of the following:
A few notes:
- The method is only relevant if automatic saving of Word data is disabled;
- You can restore a document in this way only after a forced shutdown of the system (voltage drop, critical error, etc.);
- In order for a file to be added to a folder, the user must work with it for some time;
- Unsaved files are presented in .asd, older versions (before 2010) of Word do not see this format.
This is where the main systemic methods end. Now let's talk about recovering Word information using third-party software.
Recovering a document using third-party programs
The method presented below will allow you to recover a lost file from your device even in the most difficult situations: accidental deletion without placing in the recycle bin, damage by a virus, formatting, etc.
In this case, third-party programs downloaded from the Internet are used for recovery ( It is advisable to check for malware with an antivirus). Here are some specialized applications:
- 7- Data Recovery. Among the advantages, multifunctionality should be noted: there are five options for recovering lost data. Despite the presence of the Russian language, the program is quite complex for inexperienced users;
- Active Undelete. The most universal utility that works with all file systems, OS and supports most external devices. The interface is quite simple and perfect for beginners;
- Wondershare Data Recovery. A powerful program that can recover any files both from a computer and from external media;
- . On at the moment is a leader in the Word file recovery segment.
Comment. The resources of all utilities are limited; if a large amount of data was written to a disk or flash drive after deleting an unsaved file, then you should not expect a positive result.
In order to recover a Word text document in .doc or .docx format, the latest Wondershare Data Recovery program is ideal.
The entire stage of working with the application consists of 3 steps:
There are different ways recovering lost Word files. In this article, we will look at several options for returning missing documents without using third-party programs.
The reasons for losing Word documents can be different: the system froze, the power suddenly went out, they forgot to save the document when exiting the program, and others. All of them are unpleasant and even painful. However, do not be upset, because it is possible to return missing files.
Method 1: Automatic document recovery in Word
In the event of a system failure, after which Windows was forced to reboot, the program itself will offer to restore unsaved documents. However, after a crash, the automatic file recovery function will only work the first time you start Word.
To restore:
- Double-click on the Word icon and open a new empty document;
- On the left side of the window you will see a list of documents that were open when the computer failed. Under each of them the date and time of their last correction is indicated. Select the document you need, click on it, and the text will appear on the screen.
When you close the list tab, copies of documents will be moved to the trash. But first the system will ask you to confirm their deletion. Be careful, as this list only opens the first time you log into the Word text editor after a crash.
Method 2: Recovering from an autosave folder.
If you accidentally closed the list discussed in the previous method, but did not select the document and, therefore, did not resuscitate it, then this method will do.
Method 3: Restoring from a hidden reserve.
Before you start working in Microsoft Word, make sure the AutoSave feature is turned on. Select a time convenient for you at which documents will be saved and the folder in which the program will save them. No one is immune from failures - take care of your work in advance.
Sources:
- Microsoft Support
- how to recover an unsaved word document
- Recovering after saving and closing an Excel document
Often, when working in Microsoft Office, users for some reason forget or do not have time to save file, which they were just working on, and the information is lost when closing the unsaved document. If you haven't saved file and closed the program, this does not mean that all your work was lost - unsaved in Microsoft Office file can be restored.
Instructions
In Power Point, the program will prompt you to recover unsaved presentations. A new window will open in which you will see your automatically saved drafts. Choose the right one file and open it and then select the "Save As" option from the menu.
In addition, restore file you can by selecting the “Info” option from the “File” menu, and then “Version Control”. In the window that opens, click on the button to recover unsaved documents.
Sources:
- how to restore a presentation
Instructions
If you opened a file downloaded from the Internet for viewing and now, without saving it, you cannot find it again, check the Temp folder, which is located in the following directory: C:/Documents and Settings/Username/Local Settings/Temp. It contains all temporary files, which you used while using your browser for a certain period of time, which you set in your browser settings. It is best to set the settings to manually clear folder data so as not to lose information in the future.
If you did not save the document in Microsoft Office, use the function to restore previously edited files. This is done due to the fact that the system provides periodic auto-saving of documents. Open the MS Office program that was used for editing, and then select the option to recover unsaved documents (or workbooks in Excel).
To view unsaved files edited in other programs, check the menu of the software you are using to see if there is a function for restoring unsaved data. Also check the temporary storage folders that may be located in the Application Data menu on your local drive by first turning on the visibility of hidden system elements in the Folder Options menu in the computer control panel.
If you cannot find backup copies of edited unsaved data, search the local drive of your computer by file name, while enabling advanced options to scan system folders and hidden system elements. Be sure to include the approximate creation date of your file. Also specify the name that is assigned to new files by default in the program you are using.
Video on the topic
Save edited files periodically and use an uninterruptible power supply.
Restoring closed files without saving document ov Word can be done in several ways. All of them use the built-in mechanisms of the system and do not require additional software.
You will need
- - Microsoft Word 2003 or 2007
Instructions
Try to find the original document. To do this, call the main system menu by clicking the “Start” button and activate the search assistant utility by clicking the “Use Assistant” button. Select “All files and folders” in the dialog box that opens and type the name of the document to be restored in the corresponding field. Select the “My Computer” option in the “Where to Look” directory and confirm the selected action by clicking the “Find” button.
Enter in the line “Part of the file name or the entire file name” the extension .doc, typical for documents Word, and click the Find button again if you don't remember the file name.
Two sad stories are forever imprinted in my memory when I missed the “Save” button at the most crucial moment. Once they just started talking to me, and the second time I was in such a hurry that I finished my work standing at the computer already dressed. Distractions and exceeding a reasonable speed cost a lot of nerves back then.
Surely similar office disasters have happened in your life, after which you wanted to give free rein to your feelings and show the stupid machine who’s boss. Exactly like in the old popular video.
But you restrained yourself, realizing that next time, instead of your native Mac, you would receive an import-substituting Elbrus. How to protect yourself from a state of passion and not become a laughing stock as a sanctions victim? It is enough to know that Word, contrary to your wishes, still keeps in reserve what you decided to refuse (whether it was consciously or mistakenly).
Open the main text editor window and go to the first section, Details. Click on the “Document Management” icon, where you will find the coveted function.
Click on the “Recover unsaved documents” option, after which you will see a Word service folder with several files whose existence you have already forgotten.
I hope that you will be lucky and you will return the entire document from oblivion, and at worst, most of it. But it is important to understand that luck will smile on you only if in the settings of the program itself there is a checkbox “Save the last autosaved version when closing without saving.” The width of the smile directly depends on the autosave interval.
If I'm not mistaken, the saving feature is enabled by default. But the interval set is not the most optimal. I recommend reducing it to 2-3 minutes.
You were printing an important (or not so important) document and suddenly the electricity went out. It’s good if there is an uninterruptible power supply, and you can safely turn off the computer. But if there is no uninterruptible power supply, the system will immediately shut down without giving the opportunity to save the document. To avoid retyping the text, use the instructions on how to recover an unsaved Word document.
Ideal option
After Word crashes, the next time you start it, you should be prompted to latest version document.
You just need to select the desired edition from the list to see the previously written text again.
However, it happens that recovery does not occur when Word starts. Don't despair: there is still a chance to find the document. Let's look at what needs to be done using Word 2007 as an example.
Recovery methods
If the checkbox was checked before data loss, click on the “Browse” button next to the “Data Directory” field, select the desired file and click “Open”.
If this method does not help, try finding the file manually. Open “Search” through the “Start” menu and enter the name or part of the name of the file with the .asd extension. You can also search among temporary files by changing the extension to .tmp. 
If this method does not help solve the problem, then you can only accept the loss of data. As practice shows, changing the extension again does not increase the chances of finding a text file.
If you accidentally deleted a page in Word, but have not yet managed to save the changes, simply cancel the action by pressing Ctrl+Z or using the special button in the top menu.
If you deleted an already saved document, you can fix the error by recovering deleted files.
For example, using the capabilities of the Recuva program, you can specify that only documents will be searched when scanning the system, which will significantly increase the chances of a favorable outcome. 
To make it more convenient to work with text, restore the language bar on the taskbar if it has disappeared. You can also use the functions of a small program called Punto Switcher, which automatically changes the layout if you type in the wrong language.
I don’t often publish posts about such banal user things, but today I came across unpleasant situation when the winword.exe process froze, crashed and did not save changes to the document being edited. I had to urgently figure out the functionality Autosave in Microsoft Word 2010 and try to restore the document. I’ll add my research to the body of knowledge in the form of a ready-made manual for restoring unsaved versions of documents in MS Word 2010. In other MS Office programs, autosaving works similarly.
MS Office 2010 has an autosave feature that should periodically save copies of the document while editing a file. If you start Word after a crash, the system should display Document Recovery display a list of documents that have not been previously saved. By clicking on the document name (contains a label in the name [ Autosaved]), you can open the last automatically created copy.
If this window does not appear, you need to launch Word and in the section File –> Info –> Manage Versions press the button Recover Unsaved Documents.
A dialog box will open with a directory containing copies of unsaved documents from all MS Office applications.
Advice. IN Windows XP this is the directory C:\Documents and Settings\ %username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Office\Unsaved Files
IN Windows Vista/7/8/10- C:\Users\ %username%
Where %username%— your account name.
As you can see, the files have the extension .asd These are Word auto-recovery files. If the document is new and has not been previously saved by the user, its name will look something like this " AutorecoverysaveofDocument1.asd«.
Try opening such a document. If it does not open due to corruption, you can try using the built-in file recovery function ( Open and Repair). Copies of unsaved documents are stored for 4 days, after which they are automatically deleted. Therefore, do not forget to save the recovered document through the menu File -> Save as.
When editing a document, Word saves the current version of the file to its service directory at a certain frequency (once every 10 minutes by default). Settings for autosaving documents are defined in the section File -> Options –>Save.
The autosave directory is also indicated here.
- For XP this is C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\Word
- For Windows 7Andhigher- C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word
Advice. To centrally manage the autosave settings for Word 2010 documents on user computers, you can use.
The autosave directory is specified in the parameter AUTOSAVE-PATH(REG_EXPAND_SZ) branch HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\ (Product)\Options\AutoRecoverPath
(Product) needs to be replaced with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.
File saving frequency: set by parameter (REG_DWORD type) in the branch HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Word\Options\vpref
Possible parameter values (in minutes) from 0 to 120
This directory contains autosave files (*.asd), temporary files (*.tmp), and backup files (*.wbk). File names have a service look and are not suitable for navigating through document versions, so to find a saved version of a document, it makes sense to open files with the date when last time changes have been made to the document.
