How do I retrieve a previous version of a word document

Hello Maggie,

* I am a Microsoft user like you, providing solutions to community members; I am NOT a Microsoft employee.

The "Previous Versions" tab you're looking for might not be available in the Properties menu if File History isn't enabled on your computer. Here's how to check and potentially recover your document:

1. Check File History: Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where your Word document is saved. Right-click on the document and select "Properties". If you see a "Previous Versions" tab:

This means File History is enabled and might have saved an earlier version of your document. Click on the "Previous Versions" tab. You should see a list of available versions dated and timed. These are backups created by File History. Find a version from before you accidentally saved the blank page. Select the desired version and click "Restore" to get your work back.

If there's no "Previous Versions" tab: Recover Unsaved Documents: Microsoft Word has a feature that can help you recover unsaved documents. Here's how to try it:

Open Word. Click on "File" then "Info". Look under Manage Document > Manage Unsaved Documents and open the files there to see if any of them is the document you were working on before you accidentally saved the blank page. If it isn't there, then sorry, but your file is probably gone.

• Stephen N.

Just to clarify from my last post, I meant that I opened 'properties' but cannot see any tab that tefers to previous versions. Where is it in properties. Can anyone help. I'm feeling desperate!

Hello Maggie, undo doesn't work once you've closed and reopened Word. Also, upgrading or downgrading doesn't bring files back. I already explained above that you're not seeing the "Previous Versions" tab in properties because you didn't turn on File History. You can read more about file history here (https://www.computerworld.com/article/1621193/how-to-use-file-history-windows-10-windows-11.html). Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

So, in summary, if you can't find your file using the method I explained earlier, then it's almost certainly gone.

• Stephen N.

Your reference to the "Office button" suggests you have Word 2007. The mentioned options are not available in that version; they were introduced in Word 2010.

If you still have the document open, use the Undo facility (CTRL+z)