How to Recover an Unsaved Word Document (5 Ways)
Word crashed. The power went off. You clicked Don't Save by accident. That sinking feeling is horrible — but before you start retyping, try these methods in order. There's a good chance your work is still there.
First, don't panic and don't keep reopening and closing Word. Work through the steps below calmly.
1. Check the Document Recovery pane
After a crash, the next time you open Word it usually shows a Document Recovery pane on the left with any files it rescued.
1. Open Word.
2. Look for Document Recovery on the left.
3. Click each file to open it and find the most recent version.
4. Immediately go to File > Save As and save it somewhere safe.
2. Look for Document Recovery on the left.
3. Click each file to open it and find the most recent version.
4. Immediately go to File > Save As and save it somewhere safe.
If you don't see the pane, move on to method 2.
2. Use Recover Unsaved Documents
This is the one to try if you closed Word without saving.
1. Open Word and go to File > Info.
2. Click Manage Document (or Manage Versions).
3. Choose Recover Unsaved Documents.
4. A folder opens showing unsaved files. Open the most recent one.
5. Click Save As in the yellow bar at the top and save it properly.
2. Click Manage Document (or Manage Versions).
3. Choose Recover Unsaved Documents.
4. A folder opens showing unsaved files. Open the most recent one.
5. Click Save As in the yellow bar at the top and save it properly.
You can also get here from File > Open — scroll to the bottom of the recent files list and click Recover Unsaved Documents.
3. Check Version History (OneDrive and SharePoint)
If the document is saved in OneDrive or SharePoint, Word keeps older versions automatically. This is perfect if you saved over something by mistake.
1. Open the document.
2. Go to File > Info > Version History (or click the file name at the top of the window and choose Version History).
3. Open an older version from the list.
4. Click Restore, or copy what you need.
2. Go to File > Info > Version History (or click the file name at the top of the window and choose Version History).
3. Open an older version from the list.
4. Click Restore, or copy what you need.
You can also do this in a browser: go to onedrive.com, right-click the file and choose Version history.
4. Search for AutoRecover and backup files
Word saves hidden AutoRecover files while you work. To look for them:
1. Open File Explorer.
2. In the search box, search for *.asd (AutoRecover files) and *.wbk (backup copies).
3. If you find one, open Word, go to File > Open > Browse, change the file type to All Files, and open it.
2. In the search box, search for *.asd (AutoRecover files) and *.wbk (backup copies).
3. If you find one, open Word, go to File > Open > Browse, change the file type to All Files, and open it.
You can see exactly where AutoRecover files are kept in File > Options > Save > AutoRecover file location. Copy that path into File Explorer's address bar to look there directly.
5. Check the Recycle Bin and search your PC
It sounds obvious, but:
• Open the Recycle Bin and look for the file. Right-click and choose Restore.
• In File Explorer, search for a word you know is in the file name, or search inside files by typing part of the text.
• In Word, check File > Open > Recent — the file may just be saved somewhere unexpected.
• In File Explorer, search for a word you know is in the file name, or search inside files by typing part of the text.
• In Word, check File > Open > Recent — the file may just be saved somewhere unexpected.
On a Mac
Word for Mac keeps AutoRecover files in a hidden folder. In Finder, press Shift + Command + G and paste:
~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery
Open any file there with Word and save it with a new name.
Make sure it never happens again
Turn on AutoSave. Save your document to OneDrive and switch on AutoSave (the toggle at the top left of Word). Every change is saved within seconds, and you get Version History too. This is by far the best protection.
Save AutoRecover more often. Go to File > Options > Save and:
• Make sure Save AutoRecover information every is ticked, and set it to 1–5 minutes.
• Tick Keep the last AutoRecovered version if I close without saving.
• Tick Keep the last AutoRecovered version if I close without saving.
Save early, save often. Press Ctrl + S (Command + S on a Mac) every few minutes. It becomes a habit very quickly.
Wrapping up
Try Document Recovery, then File > Info > Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents, then Version History. And once you've got your work back, save to OneDrive with AutoSave switched on so you never have to do this again.
