Where to find autorecover files word​？

Losing work due to a computer crash, unexpected shutdown, or program malfunction is an experience most of us have had at some point. Thankfully, Microsoft Word includes an AutoRecover feature that helps protect against data loss by automatically saving backup copies of your documents while you’re working on them. 

Let’s begin with a deeper understanding of the AutoRecover feature, and then move on to detailed instructions on how to access your recovered files.

What Is AutoRecover?

AutoRecover is a feature in Microsoft Word designed to help prevent the loss of documents in case of unexpected crashes or shutdowns. It automatically saves versions of your document at regular intervals, allowing you to restore them in case of an issue.

While the AutoRecover feature is extremely useful, it’s important to know that it only works if you’ve configured Word to use it, and if the application has been properly saving those backups. AutoRecover does not always guarantee that every change will be saved, and it may not always recover the most recent version of your work.

There are two main types of data recovery in Word:

AutoSave: This feature, when enabled with OneDrive or SharePoint, saves your document automatically every few seconds.

AutoRecover: This is the traditional version, which saves periodic backup copies of documents locally, at specified time intervals.

If you’re working on a document, and Word crashes or closes unexpectedly, AutoRecover files allow you to restore unsaved versions of your work.

Enabling AutoRecover in Word

Before you can rely on AutoRecover to help you save your work, it must be properly enabled. Most modern versions of Microsoft Word enable AutoRecover by default, but it’s always good to check and make sure the feature is active.

Here’s how to enable or check AutoRecover settings:

Open Microsoft Word.

Click on the “File” tab in the upper-left corner of the window.

Select “Options” from the left-hand menu. This will open the Word Options window.

Click on “Save” in the list on the left side of the Word Options window.

In the “Save documents” section, ensure that the checkbox next to “Save AutoRecover information every” is checked.

Adjust the time interval for saving AutoRecover information if necessary (the default is usually 10 minutes). A shorter interval will result in more frequent backups.

Under the “AutoRecover file location” section, you’ll see the folder where AutoRecover files are saved. You can copy this path if needed to locate files manually.

By ensuring AutoRecover is enabled and checking the save intervals, you can be more confident that your documents are backed up regularly.

How to Find AutoRecover Files in Word

When Word unexpectedly crashes, or you close a document without saving it, you can attempt to locate AutoRecover files. Depending on the version of Word you’re using and your operating system, the process of recovering AutoRecover files can differ.

1. Automatic Recovery After Restarting Word

The simplest and most common way to recover AutoRecover files is through Word itself. After a crash or unexpected shutdown, Word will usually display a Document Recovery pane the next time you launch the program. This pane will list all the available AutoRecovered documents, including any unsaved work.

Here’s how to use it:

Open Microsoft Word.

When Word restarts, it should automatically open the Document Recovery pane on the left side of the screen. If the Document Recovery pane doesn’t appear, you may be able to access it manually by going to the View tab and selecting Recover Unsaved Documents under the File menu.

In the Document Recovery pane, you’ll see a list of recovered files. These include the most recent AutoRecover versions of any documents you were working on before Word shut down unexpectedly.

To recover a file, simply click on it and choose Open. You can then save the file to your desired location.

In many cases, this is the easiest and quickest way to retrieve your lost document.

2. Manually Locating AutoRecover Files on Your Computer

If Word doesn’t automatically recover your document, or if you want to manually search for AutoRecover files, you can follow these steps.

For Windows Users

AutoRecover files are typically stored in specific folders on your PC, and their locations can vary based on the version of Word and your operating system. However, the most common locations are:

Method 1: Using the Default AutoRecover File Location

Open Microsoft Word.

Go to File > Options > Save to check the AutoRecover file location path.

Open File Explorer and paste the AutoRecover path into the address bar.

The folder will open and display the most recent AutoRecover files.

Method 2: Manually Searching the Default AutoRecover Folder

If you don’t know where Word is saving your AutoRecover files, you can search the default locations:

Windows 10/11 (Default Folder Path):

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C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\

Alternatively:

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C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles\

In these folders, you may find files with extensions like .asd, which are your AutoRecover files.

Open File Explorer and paste the folder path into the address bar.

Look for files with the extension .asd (AutoRecover files) or .wbk (backup files).

Double-click the file to open it in Word. If it’s the right document, save it immediately.

For Mac Users

On macOS, the process is slightly different but still relatively straightforward:

Open Finder and navigate to the following directory:

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~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/OfficeVersionNumber/AutoRecovery

(Replace “OfficeVersionNumber” with your version of Microsoft Office.)

In this folder, you should find any AutoRecover files. These files usually have the .asd extension.

Using the AutoRecover Files

Once you’ve located an AutoRecover file, you can open it in Word and review it. Be aware that AutoRecover files may not be identical to the version you were working on, as they save information at set intervals. Therefore, there might be a small gap between the last saved recovery point and your final version.

If the document you open is the correct one, you should save it immediately under a new file name to avoid overwriting the recovered copy. If it’s not the right one, you can try opening other files from the AutoRecover folder until you find the correct version.

What to Do if AutoRecover Files Are Not Found

If you’re unable to locate AutoRecover files using the methods above, there are still a few things you can try:

Check the “Unsaved Files” Folder: In newer versions of Microsoft Word, the application may save temporary files in an “Unsaved Files” folder.

Open Word and go to File > Open > Recent. Look for the option Recover Unsaved Documents at the bottom of the screen.

You’ll be taken to a folder where Word has saved temporary versions of your documents.

Search for Temporary Files: Sometimes, temporary files are stored in specific system folders. Search your computer for files with the extension .tmp, as these could be remnants of Word documents.

Check the Windows Recycle Bin: If you accidentally deleted the document, it might still be in the Recycle Bin.

Preventing Future Data Loss

While AutoRecover can be a lifesaver, it’s essential to adopt other strategies to safeguard your documents:

Enable AutoSave with OneDrive or SharePoint: With AutoSave enabled, Word will automatically save your document as you work on it. This is especially useful for cloud-based documents.

Regularly Save Your Document: Even though AutoRecover helps, it’s still important to save your work manually at regular intervals (Ctrl + S).

Use Backup Software: Consider using cloud storage or local backup software to create regular backups of your important documents.