How to restore deleted word document files​?

Restoring deleted Word document files can be a daunting task, especially if the file was important and there’s no immediate backup available. Whether the document was accidentally deleted, lost due to system crashes, or became corrupted, there are a number of ways to recover it, depending on your situation and the tools available.

1. Check the Recycle Bin (or Trash)

One of the first places to check when you lose a Word document is the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). These folders act as a temporary storage location for deleted files, and the chances of restoring your file are high if it was recently deleted.

For Windows:

Open the Recycle Bin: Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop to open it.

Search for the Deleted File: Look for your Word document by browsing through the files or using the search bar at the top of the window.

Restore the File: If you find the file, right-click on it and select “Restore.” The document will be returned to its original location.

For macOS:

Open the Trash: Click on the Trash icon in the Dock to open it.

Locate the Deleted File: Browse through the Trash or use the search function to find your Word document.

Restore the File: Right-click on the document and select “Put Back” to restore the file to its original location.

2. Check AutoRecover in Word

Microsoft Word has an AutoRecover feature that automatically saves backup copies of your document at regular intervals. If your document was open when it was deleted or if Word crashed, you may be able to recover it through this feature.

Steps to Recover a Document Using AutoRecover:

Open Microsoft Word (the same version that was being used when the document was lost).

Go to File > Info: This opens the backstage view where document recovery options are available.

Look for AutoRecovered Documents: Under the “Manage Document” section, you should see a list of available AutoRecover files.

Open the AutoRecovered File: Click on the document you want to recover, and Word will open it for you. If you decide to save it, make sure to give it a new name and location to avoid overwriting any existing files.

3. Check Word’s Recent Documents List

If your Word document was recently opened, it might still appear in the Recent Documents list. Word keeps a history of recently opened files, which may include the document you lost.

Steps to Check Recent Documents:

Open Microsoft Word.

Go to File > Open > Recent: This will display a list of recently opened documents.

Search for Your Document: If you find the lost document, click on it to open and save it immediately.

4. Restore from Backup

If you regularly back up your computer or use a cloud service, you might be able to restore your deleted Word document from a backup. Backup solutions such as Windows File History, Time Machine on macOS, or cloud services like Google Drive and OneDrive often store previous versions of your files.

For Windows (File History):

Open Control Panel and go to System and Security > File History.

Select “Restore Personal Files.”

Navigate to the Folder Containing Your Word Document and find the version you want to restore.

Click the Restore Button to recover the document.

For macOS (Time Machine):

Connect your Time Machine backup drive.

Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select “Enter Time Machine.”

Navigate to the folder containing your deleted document.

Use the timeline on the right to go back in time to when the document was still present.

Click Restore to recover the file.

For Cloud Services (Google Drive, OneDrive):

Log into the cloud service where your Word document was stored.

Look for the “Trash” or “Deleted Items” folder.

Find your document and restore it by following the cloud service’s instructions.

5. Use Previous Versions (Windows)

Windows provides an option to restore files from previous versions using its built-in backup feature. If you have File History or System Restore enabled, you can restore older versions of your files, including Word documents.

Steps to Restore from Previous Versions:

Right-click on the Folder where your Word document was stored.

Select “Restore previous versions.”

Select the Date and Time from which you want to recover the document.

Click Restore to recover the selected version.

6. Use Data Recovery Software

Panda Assistant is a powerful data recovery tool designed to help users recover lost or deleted files, including Word documents. Whether your document was accidentally deleted, lost due to a system crash, or even after a format, Panda Assistant offers a comprehensive solution to restore your important files with ease.

Download and Install Panda Assistant: Start by downloading and installing Panda Assistant on your computer. Ensure it is installed on a different drive than the one where your Word document was stored to prevent overwriting any recoverable data.

Launch the Software: Open Panda Assistant and select the type of file you want to recover. In this case, select “Documents” or “Word Documents” from the options provided.

Choose the Drive/Location: Select the drive or folder where the Word document was previously saved. If the file was deleted from the Recycle Bin or another location, make sure to specify that as the search location.

Scan for Deleted Files: Click on the “Scan” button to start the recovery process. Panda Assistant will scan the selected location for any recoverable Word documents, even those that have been permanently deleted or lost due to system errors.

Preview and Restore: Once the scan is complete, Panda Assistant will display a list of recoverable files. You can preview the Word documents to identify the correct one. After locating your file, select it and click “Restore” to recover it.

7. Use a Professional Data Recovery Service

If all else fails and you are unable to recover your deleted Word document, professional data recovery services may be your best option. These services specialize in recovering data from damaged, corrupted, or deleted files that standard recovery methods cannot restore.

How Professional Data Recovery Services Work:

Initial Evaluation: The recovery service will assess the state of your storage device (hard drive, SSD, etc.) to determine the best course of action.

Data Recovery Process: Technicians will use specialized equipment and techniques to recover your deleted files, even from severely damaged or corrupted drives.

File Restoration: Once the recovery process is complete, you’ll be provided with your restored files.

8. Prevent Future Data Loss

After recovering your Word document, it’s a good idea to implement strategies to prevent future data loss. Some useful tips include:

Regular Backups: Set up regular backups using tools like File History (Windows), Time Machine (macOS), or cloud storage solutions (Google Drive, OneDrive).

Enable AutoSave: In Word, enable the AutoSave feature to automatically save your work every few minutes.

Use Version Control: If working on important documents, consider using cloud services that support version control to track changes and recover older versions of your documents.