WORD file on desktop no longer remembers where I left off on start up. It only remembers for a minute or two.

Bradford Randolph 20 Reputation points
2026-02-06T22:04:17.89+00:00

My file used to present a "pick up where you left off" tag on the lower right side on opening.

Clicking on it takes you to the point of your last edits.

Now I see that option only if I reopen the file within a minute or two.

How do you get that clickable object (pick up where you left off) to appear?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
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AI answer

2026-02-06T22:04:26.86+00:00

If this feature is not functioning as expected, here are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot:

  1. Check AutoRecover Settings: Ensure that AutoRecover is enabled and set to save at a reasonable interval (e.g., every 5 minutes). You can check this by going to File > Options > Save and looking for the AutoRecover settings.
  2. Open the Document Quickly: The feature may only show up if you open the document shortly after closing it. If you wait too long, the temporary recovery information may no longer be available.
  3. Ensure Word is Updated: Sometimes, issues can arise from using an outdated version of Word. Make sure your Microsoft 365 apps are up to date.
  4. Repair Office: If the problem persists, consider repairing your Office installation. You can do this through the Control Panel under Programs and Features.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, it may be beneficial to check Microsoft support documentation or forums for additional troubleshooting steps specific to your version of Word.

AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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Answer recommended by moderator

Bradford Randolph 20 Reputation points
2026-02-07T20:39:32.0066667+00:00

Though the reply from Q&A Assist was a very helpful answer, I found the problem has to do with the WORD version. I think I have solved the problem by moving the contents to an updated empty WORD file.

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  1. Stefan Blom 346.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-02-07T15:37:30.15+00:00

    You should see the "Welcome Back // Pick up where you left off" notification if the document is longer than a single page and the last edit was made on some other page than the first one.

    As Ron pointed out, the notification may be collapsed into a button.

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  2. Ron Barker 2,175 Reputation points
    2026-02-07T12:40:25.85+00:00

    Hi, you should see User's image

    Rather than the message, do you want to pickup etc.

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