How to Recover Unsaved Word Documents

1/18/2026
How to Recover Unsaved Word Documents

How to Recover Unsaved Word Documents

It's a moment of pure panic. You've just spent hours working on a Word document, and then the power goes out, or you accidentally click "Don't Save." But before you resign yourself to starting all over again, there's a good chance you can recover your unsaved document. In this guide, we'll show you how.

Method 1: Recover Unsaved Documents

Microsoft Word has a built-in feature for recovering unsaved documents.

  1. Open Microsoft Word.
  2. Click on the "File" tab.
  3. Click on "Info."
  4. Click on "Manage Document."
  5. Click on "Recover Unsaved Documents."
  6. A new window will open with a list of unsaved documents. Select the document you want to recover and then click "Open."
  7. If you find the document you're looking for, make sure you save it right away.

Method 2: Check for AutoRecover Files

Word also has an AutoRecover feature that automatically saves a copy of your document every few minutes.

  1. Open Microsoft Word.
  2. Click on the "File" tab.
  3. Click on "Options."
  4. Click on "Save."
  5. You'll see the AutoRecover file location. Copy this file path.
  6. Open File Explorer and paste the file path into the address bar.
  7. You'll see a list of AutoRecover files. Look for a file with a ".asd" extension.
  8. Double-click on the file to open it in Word.
  9. If you find the document you're looking for, make sure you save it right away.

Method 3: Search for Temporary Files

If you still can't find your unsaved document, you can try searching for temporary files on your computer.

  1. Open the Start menu and search for ".tmp" files.
  2. You'll see a list of temporary files. Look for a file with a name that is similar to the name of your unsaved document.
  3. If you find a file that you think might be your unsaved document, try opening it in Word.

The Bottom Line

Losing an unsaved Word document can be a frustrating experience. But with a little bit of luck, you may be able to recover it. By following these simple steps, you can increase your chances of finding your lost document and getting back to work.