How to recover unsaved MS Word document is a common concern for many users who accidentally lose their work due to various reasons. Whether it’s a power outage, system crash, or an unexpected shutdown, the loss of unsaved documents can be frustrating. However, there are several methods and tools available to help you recover your lost work. In this article, we will explore the steps and tools you can use to restore your unsaved MS Word document.
1. Use the “Recover Unsaved Documents” feature in MS Word
One of the simplest ways to recover an unsaved MS Word document is by using the built-in “Recover Unsaved Documents” feature. When you launch MS Word, you may see a prompt asking if you want to recover an unsaved document. If you don’t see this prompt, you can manually access the feature by going to “File” > “Open” > “Recent” > “Recover Unsaved Documents.” This will display a list of recently opened and unsaved documents, allowing you to choose the one you want to recover.
2. Check the “Autosave” folder
MS Word automatically saves a copy of your document every few minutes. These autosave files are stored in a hidden folder on your computer. To find the autosave files, follow these steps:
– Open the “File Explorer” or “Finder” on your computer.
– Navigate to the following path: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\Autosave (for Windows) or ~/Library/Word/ Autosave (for Mac).
– Look for the autosave file with the same name as your document, which typically ends with a “.asd” extension.
– Rename the file to have a “.docx” extension (for Windows) or “.txt” extension (for Mac).
– Open the file using MS Word, and you should be able to recover your unsaved document.
3. Use third-party recovery tools
If the above methods don’t work, you can try using third-party recovery tools designed specifically for MS Word documents. Some popular options include:
– Recuva: A free file recovery tool that can help you recover deleted, lost, or corrupted files, including MS Word documents.
– Disk Drill: A comprehensive data recovery tool that offers a wide range of features and can recover various types of files, including MS Word documents.
– EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A user-friendly data recovery tool that provides a simple interface and can recover deleted, lost, or corrupted files, including MS Word documents.
4. Use the “Previous Versions” feature in Windows
If you have enabled the “System Restore” feature on your Windows computer, you may be able to recover an unsaved MS Word document using the “Previous Versions” feature. To do this:
– Right-click on the folder where your document was saved and select “Properties.”
– Go to the “Previous Versions” tab.
– Look for a previous version of the folder that contains your document and select it.
– Click “Restore” to recover your document.
In conclusion, losing an unsaved MS Word document can be a distressing experience, but there are several methods and tools available to help you recover your lost work. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to restore your unsaved document and continue working on your project.
