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
    2017-01-10T20:55:29+00:00

    Go to recycle bin. If you are lucky

    Sasan, Thank you so much. I accidentally told word not to recover or save recovery files and lost hours of work. Followed several guides to look for temp files, recovery folders etc. simply looking in the trash saved me. Thank you.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-01T03:47:50+00:00

    Thank you!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2017-07-20T09:38:03+00:00

    In my desperation I didn't think to check the recycle bin, instead I got frustrated that 'Previous versions' from Shadow Copies didn't work.

    But another problem occured when I restored the .asd from the recycle bin - the file went missing.

    Turns out the restored file from the recycle bin went to AppData\Roaming while my Microsoft Word checks AppData\Local for .asd files. But now it's all well and done.

    Thank you so much! ^^

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments