How do I recover an accidentally deleted, never-saved autorecovery file?

Anonymous
2012-06-22T22:34:15+00:00

When I opened another word document, it asked me whether I wished to keep the autorecovered file (which I'd forgotten about), and I accidentally said "no."  Realizing I still want it, I found the document in my recycle bin and clicked "restore," but now I can't find it anywhere.  Please help!

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
Suzanne S Barnhill 279.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2012-06-22T23:21:59+00:00

On the File tab, select Recent. At the bottom, click Recover Unsaved Documents. If your document is not listed there, then you're out of luck.

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-06-23T10:55:20+00:00

Do you remember the name of the file?

If yes, you may use the Windows search and check if you find the file in your computer.

Enable hidden files and folders using the link below before doing the search:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Show-hidden-files

For information related to Windows search you may refer to the link mentioned below:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-search

Was this answer helpful?

50+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

44 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-12-05T01:30:41+00:00

    Thank you so much!

    IF YOU DO RESTORE IT FROM RECYCLING BIN AND CANT FIND IT LIKE ME, go back into the recycling bin and click "CTRL+Z" and the file will return to ur recycling bin. COPY it and put it on ur DESKTOP then continue as SASAN T. instructed :).

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-12-08T00:31:27+00:00

    So... I got to this point but ended up hitting 'recover' when I should have saved. Any inkling as to where an unnamed document might end up?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-12-08T19:42:15+00:00

    So... I got to this point but ended up hitting 'recover' when I should have saved. Any inkling as to where an unnamed document might end up?

    Assuming that you have a recent version of Word (Word 2010 or later), you can click File tab | Info | Manage Versions | Recover Unsaved Documents.

    For older versions of Word, try searching Windows Explorer for files with the asd extension. The chance is slim, but it is worth a shot.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments