Here are 7 ways to recover unsaved Word document:

Method 1: Check the AutoRecover Files

AutoRecover feature in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word has a built-in feature called AutoRecover that automatically saves your work periodically, even if you haven’t saved it manually. To check for AutoRecover files, follow these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. In the address bar, type %AppData%\Microsoft\Word.
  3. Double-click the AutoRecover folder.
  4. Select the file you want to recover and click Open.

Method 2: Search for Temp Files Word also creates temporary files as you work on a document. These files can sometimes contain your unsaved work. To search for temporary files, follow these steps:

Temporary files in Microsoft Word
  1. Click the Start button and type .asd in the search bar.
  2. Click on the Search Results tab.
  3. Locate the .asd file you want to recover and double-click it.

Method 3: Look for it in the Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin on a computer

If you accidentally deleted your Word document, you may be able to recover it from the Recycle Bin. To empty the Recycle Bin, follow these steps:

  1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
  2. Select the files you want to recover.
  3. Right-click and select Restore.

Method 4: Use a Data Recovery Software

Data recovery software

There are a number of data recovery software programs available that can help you recover unsaved Word documents. One popular option is Recuva. To use data recovery software, follow these steps:

  1. Download and install a data recovery software program.
  2. Open the software and select the drive where you lost your Word document.
  3. Click the Scan button.
  4. Once the scan is complete, select the Word document you want to recover and click the Recover button.

Method 5: Restore from a Previous Version If you have Windows File History enabled, you may be able to restore your Word document from a previous version. To recover a previous version of your Word document, follow these steps:

Previous Versions feature in Microsoft Word
  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Navigate to the folder where your Word document is saved.
  3. Right-click the Word document and select Properties.
  4. Click the Previous Versions tab.
  5. Select the version of the file you want to restore and click Restore.

Method 6: Open it from your Cloud Storage

Cloud storage service

If you have saved your Word document to a cloud storage service, such as OneDrive or Dropbox, you may be able to recover it from there. To recover a Word document from a cloud storage service, follow these steps:

  1. Open your cloud storage service.
  2. Locate the Word document you want to recover.
  3. Download the Word document to your computer.

Method 7: Contact Microsoft Support

Microsoft support contact information

If you have tried all of the above methods and you still can’t recover your Word document, you can contact Microsoft Support for assistance. Microsoft support may be able to help you recover your file using more advanced methods.

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