How do i recover a document saved directly from download?

Anonymous
2010-04-22T22:35:08+00:00

Hi,

I sent my university coursework to a friend to proof read it. He sent it back with amendments, and i clicked on the attached file in hotmail, and continued working on it, clicking save every few minutes.

However i did not click SAVE AS, and so when i closed the document just now, my entire days work was lost, as it appears to have saved no where. Where had it been saving for the whole day? Can i recover it?

Im currently on windows vista and word 2007.

Thanks

John

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-04-22T23:59:43+00:00

You may or may not be able to recover this document since the changes are saved in your Temporary Internet files folder. Note that you can't just open your Temporary Internet Files folder directly and find it due to the way Windows handles your Temporary Internet files but if it's still available, here's how you can get it back:

  1. Open another Word document sent to you as an attachment from an email. If you don't have one, send an email with an

attachment to yourself. (While you should be able to open the same email attachement since another copy of the file is created in your Temporary Internet Files folder, I don't like taking a chance like that.) 2. Click the Office Button, point at Prepare, and then click Properties. The Properties pane will display below the Ribbon. 3. On the far right of the Properties pane you'll see a file path and the document name. Select only the file path and press Ctrl + C to copy it. 4. Press the WinKey + E to open the Windows Explorer. (Or use an alternate method to open it) 5. Paste the copied file path in the Address bar and press Enter.

These steps should put you either in the same location as your revised file or near it. You may need to dig around in other folders to locate it.

Good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. :-)

~Beth Melton Microsoft Office MVP

Was this answer helpful?

2 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

66 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-05-24T04:45:10+00:00

    It may not be in the exact same folder so you might try looking in other folders as well. Note this method isn't a guarantee but it’s all there really is. :-( I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

    ~Beth Melton Microsoft Office MVP

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-24T02:09:14+00:00

    Beth,

    I have exactly the same problem as John. When I was able to see all the files in my temp internet files folder, I found the test one I sent per your instructions above, but the document I actually need is not there!! Any suggestions?

    Pam

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2010-05-10T22:49:35+00:00

    I had to go looking.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-05-10T22:39:29+00:00

    Thanks, Doug. I like your instructions better. I forgot you can still find the location in Word 2003 -- it's been so long since I've actually used it. :-)

    ~Beth Melton Microsoft Office MVP

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments