How To Recover An Unsaved Microsoft Office File

 

How To Recover an Unsaved Microsoft Office File

A lost document is a common problem in any workplace. The most common reasons are: it was mistakenly deleted, it was accidentally closed before saving, or the work was lost due to a software crash or power outage. Mobile Computer Services, a managed IT company in Wake Forest, shares the possible ways to retrieve and restore such lost Microsoft Office documents. 

One important point to note is that to retrieve an unsaved document more easily, it is better to avoid creating new data and new files on the same drive if possible. New data on the drive reduces the chances of recovery of a lost document. The following are solutions that can help in the missing document’s recovery:

1. Check the recycle bin

The first place to check for a missing document is the recycling bin. If the missing document is found there, right-click on it and click “Restore” to move it to its original folder. It can also be dragged and dropped/cut and pasted to any other location. If the document has been permanently deleted, it may still be possible to recover it using a data recovery wizard. An IT services company will be able to provide advice about the recovery of such data. 

2. Recover from temporary files

Word (and other Microsoft Office apps) has a feature called auto-save which saves temporary files at a certain location. To view the temporary documents, click the “File” menu, click on “Manage Documents” and select “Recover Unsaved Documents” from the drop-down list. A folder window opens which shows all unsaved Office documents stored as temporary backup files. Click on the required temporary file to open it and continue working on it. 

3. Using auto recover

Every time Word (or other MS Office apps) starts, it searches for files to be recovered by default. These files to be recovered are saved with a “.asd” file extension. To open these files manually:

• Click on the ”File” menu and click “Options”. 
• Then click “Save” on the page that appears. 
• Copy the “AutoRecover file location” shown. 
• Paste the location in the file explorer to open the folder where “. and” files are present.
• Copy the “.asd” file. 
• Go to the “File” tab on Word again and click “Open” and select the “Recover Unsaved Documents” button at the bottom. 
• Paste the “.asd” file that was copied into the “File name” box and click “Open”.
• If a warning is seen, try the same steps again to open the “.asd” file, but select “Open and Repair” this time from the drop-down menu next to “Open”. 

4. After a system crash

Reopen Word (or other MS Office apps) after restarting the machine. The software will automatically try to recover any unsaved documents before the crash. If it is not able to recover lost files on its own, try the methods of recovery using temporary files or via auto recovery as stated above. A professional IT support company can help in creating regular backups to avoid any such data loss. 

5. Configuring Auto-save 

Users can configure various auto-save features such as where the temporary files are stored, how often they are saved, and whether a temporary backup is taken when a file is closed without saving. To configure these options-

• Click on the “File” menu and click “Options”.
• On the “Options” page, click “Save” and then configure the “Save Documents” section. These settings will help to recover a document that was closed without saving. 

Why Mobile Computer Services?

Mobile Computer Services, a professional IT services company in Wake Forest,  in Wake Forest, provides reliable PC help and repair as well as online computer support, software help, computer help, IT Help, computer tech support, and computer diagnostics.

 

Call Mobile Computer Services, Inc. Wake Forest at (919) 230-2900 to know more about the IT support that one can rely on.