How to recover deleted files on word

Microsoft Word is one of the most widely used word processors in the world. Whether you’re a student writing an essay, a professional drafting a report, or a creative jotting down ideas, Word is often the tool of choice. But as useful as it is, it’s not immune to accidental deletions or unexpected data loss. Few things are more stressful than spending hours on a document only to find it missing after a crash, deletion, or unexpected shutdown.

Accidental deletion of a Word file from your computer

Unsaved documents due to a power outage or crash

Overwritten documents

Files deleted from the Recycle Bin or Trash

Word shutting down unexpectedly during editing

File corruption

Each scenario requires a slightly different recovery approach. Fortunately, Word and your operating system keep more backup copies of your work than you might think.

Method 1: Check the Recycle Bin or Trash

The simplest way to recover a deleted Word document is to look in your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS).

Steps:

Open the Recycle Bin (or Trash).

Look for the file you deleted. Use the search bar to type part of the filename if needed.

If found, right-click the file and select Restore (on Windows) or Put Back (on macOS).

The file will be returned to its original location.

Note: If the Recycle Bin has been emptied or the file was permanently deleted (e.g., using Shift + Delete), this method won’t work, and you’ll need to use deeper recovery methods.

Method 2: Recover Unsaved Word Documents

Word includes an AutoRecover feature that periodically saves your work in the background. If Word crashes or your system shuts down unexpectedly, this feature often saves the day.

Steps for Windows:

Open Microsoft Word.

Go to File > Info.

Click on Manage Document > Recover Unsaved Documents.

A list of unsaved files will appear. Select the one you want and click Open.

Once open, immediately Save As to a secure location.

Steps for macOS:

Open Word.

Go to File > Open Recent > Recover Unsaved Document.

Browse the unsaved files and restore the correct one.

Method 3: Recover from AutoRecover Files Manually

If the above method doesn’t work, you can manually access the folder where AutoRecover stores backup copies.

Windows:

AutoRecover files are usually stored in:

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C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\

macOS:

AutoRecovery files are typically located in:

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/Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery/

Steps:

Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

Navigate to the AutoRecover directory above.

Look for files with the .asd or .wbk extension (on Windows) or .autorecovery (on Mac).

Double-click to open in Word or drag into Word’s icon.

Pro Tip: Make sure hidden files and folders are visible in your file browser. On Windows, this can be enabled in the “View” tab.

Method 4: Search for Temporary Word Files

Temporary files (often ending in .tmp) may contain recoverable content from deleted or unsaved documents.

Steps:

Open File Explorer or Finder.

Search for files with the .tmp extension or use a wildcard like:

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*.tmp

You can also search using part of the document name if known.

Look for files modified around the time the document was lost.

If a temp file looks promising, try opening it in Word.

Note: You may need to change the file extension to .docx before opening.

Method 5: Restore from OneDrive, Google Drive, or Other Cloud Services

If your Word file was stored in a cloud service like OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive, recovery is often easier thanks to version history and trash features.

OneDrive:

Go to onedrive.live.com and sign in.

Navigate to the Recycle Bin in the left pane.

Locate and restore your file.

You can also check Version History by right-clicking the file.

Google Drive:

Go to drive.google.com.

Open the Trash folder.

Locate the file and right-click to restore it.

Method 6: Restore Previous Versions on Windows

Windows offers a version history feature that sometimes lets you restore previous versions of a file or folder—even after deletion.

Steps:

Navigate to the folder where the file was originally stored.

Right-click the folder and choose Properties.

Go to the Previous Versions tab.

Select a backup version of the folder (before the file was deleted).

Click Restore, or browse the folder version and manually copy the file.

Note: This only works if System Protection is enabled or File History is set up.

Method 7: Recover with Microsoft Word Backup Files

If the Always create backup copy option was enabled in Word’s settings, you might have a backup .wbk file available.

Steps:

Open Word.

Go to File > Open > Browse.

In the File Explorer, navigate to the location where the file was saved.

Look for a file with the .wbk extension.

Open the file in Word and save it.

To enable this for future use:

Go to File > Options > Advanced.

Scroll to Save.

Check Always create backup copy.

Method 8: Use Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant

Panda Assistant is designed to scan deep within your device’s storage, identifying traces of Word files that have been deleted but not yet overwritten. Whether you’re dealing with files removed using Shift + Delete or documents lost during an unexpected shutdown, Panda Assistant can help restore them in just a few simple steps.

Getting started is easy. Launch Panda Assistant, select the drive or folder where the Word file was last saved, and begin a quick or deep scan. The tool will display a list of recoverable files, including Word documents in formats like .doc and .docx. You can preview files before recovery, ensuring you retrieve exactly what you need.

What sets Panda Assistant apart is its speed, simplicity, and effectiveness. It supports recovery from hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and even formatted partitions. It’s ideal for students, professionals, and anyone who relies on Word to create and store important content.

Even if your Word file isn’t showing up in AutoRecover or the Recycle Bin, Panda Assistant increases your chances of getting it back. The tool is a powerful safety net when built-in recovery options fall short.

Method 9: Contact IT Support or Professional Recovery Services

If the Word document was part of a business system or a shared network, your IT department may have backups or system snapshots available. Networked systems often retain multiple versions and deleted files in ways that aren’t visible to the average user.

For high-stakes documents—like legal contracts, theses, or years’ worth of notes—you might also consider professional recovery services. These companies have the tools to recover data from physically damaged drives or overwritten sectors.

Preventative Measures: How to Protect Word Files in the Future

After recovering your deleted file, it’s wise to set up better safeguards. Here’s how to avoid repeating the issue:

1. Enable AutoSave (Microsoft 365 users)

AutoSave automatically saves your work every few seconds when using OneDrive or SharePoint.

2. Turn on AutoRecover

Go to File > Options > Save.

Ensure Save AutoRecover information every [X] minutes is checked.

Also check Keep the last autosaved version if I close without saving.

3. Use OneDrive or Google Drive

Storing your Word files in the cloud offers both backup and version control. Even if you delete a file, it’s usually retained for 30 days.

4. Back Up Regularly

Use an external hard drive, backup software, or cloud storage for routine backups. Automate it so you don’t forget.

5. Avoid Unnecessary Deletions

Be careful with Shift + Delete and always double-check what you’re removing, especially in shared folders or important directories.

Losing a Word document doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. With Microsoft Word’s built-in safety nets like AutoRecover, backup options, and compatibility with cloud services, many “lost” files can be recovered in just a few clicks. And for those that don’t turn up right away, a variety of tools and methods—from searching temp files to using recovery software—can help you get your data back.