Accidently closing a word document without saving it.

Question

I have tried to recover the file but its not working and the recovery panel isn't coming up. Please help I've just lost all my essay work otherwise.

Answer 1

Try File > Open > Recover Unsaved Documents.

Answer 2

Under File>Options>Save, do you have a check mark in the box for"Keep the last AutoRecovered version if I close without saving"?

If you do, then following Stefan's advice, or going to File>Info>Manage Document>Recover Unsaved Files may save your bacon.

Answer 3

Hi Kirsty,

As Stefan shared above, you may try to check the location and see whether you can find your unsaved document from Recover unsaved document location.

However, please take note that generally, recover unsaved document location stored the unsaved files that for disruptions of your device. Hence, it is not recommended to rely on “AutoRecover” of Office apps. It is highly recommended to save your document with Save command or shortcuts Ctrl+S frequently while you work.

For your information:

How Word creates and recovers the AutoRecover files

Best regards,

Dihao

Answer 4

Have you not heard of "information overload"  I feel really sorry for some of the OP's to whom you respond, formatted or unformatted.

Answer 5

If you close Word normally without saving you are pretty much fubar, even if you have the "recover unsaved files" option turned on.  If you close Word normally, the temp file created by that option is deleted. .If you have that option turned on you only option remaining is a long shot. You can try an "undelete" tool and try to find the deleted temp file by  it's timestamp. Undelete! What happens to deleted files? Why can they be recovered? https://www.digitalcitizen.life/simple-questions-what-happens-deleted-files-why-can-they-be-recovered Reasonable description of how files are “deleted” in Windows and why they can and cannot be “undeleted”2018 07 16- Which are the best free file recovery tools? Comparing 5 of the most popular apps  https://www.digitalcitizen.life/file-recovery-tools-recuva-restoration-softperfect-pc-inspector-diskdigger .  *  Piriform Recuva.  *  Puran File Recovery.  *  Iobit Undelete.  *  Undelete 360.  *  Tesdisk2018 06 04- Recover Deleted Files With Recuva (From A Partition, Memory Stick, Memory Card, Etc) https://www.digitalcitizen.life/how-recover-accidentally-deleted-files 2017 02 07- Gallery: 10 Free Data Recovery Programs For Windows http://www.techrepublic.com/pictures/gallery-10-free-data-recovery-programs-for-windows/ Recuva, Puran File Recovery, DMDE Free, Undelete 360, Disk Drill, Paragon Rescue Kit, MiniTool, Wise Data Recovery, Recovery Toolbox for CD, UndeleteMyFiles Pro 2015 08 18- Five More Data Recovery Tools That Could Save The Day http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-more-data-recovery-tools-that-could-save-the-day/ 1: Data Rescue PC 3 - recover deleted files from DVD installation2: Bad CD/DVD Recovery - recover data from damaged CD/DVD3: Search and Recover - recover deleted files4: Boomerang Data Recovery - recover deleted files5: Free Any Data Recovery - recover deleted files2014 10 10- Five Data Recovery Tools That Could Save The Day http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-data-recovery-tools-that-could-save-the-day/  1: R-Studio Data Recovery Software2: Pandora Recovery3: EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard Free Edition4: Wise Data Recovery5: ArtPlus Digital Photo Recovery2015 05 04- which are the best free file recovery tools? comparing 5 of the most popular programs http://www.digitalcitizen.life/file-recovery-tools-recuva-restoration-softperfect-pc-inspector-diskdigger Piriform Recuva, Disk Drill, PC Inspector File Recovery, Puran File Recovery, Wise Data Recovery, The Best Free File Recovery Tools2013 08 16- Free Data Recovery/File Undelete Tools: What You Should Know https://davescomputertips.com/free-data-recoveryfile-undelete-tools-what-you-should-know/ Good article, even if it is now a little dated.Key point: prepare for lost file situation by picking and installing File Recovery tool(s) BEFORE you have a problem.  If you didn’t do that, pick a tool that allows you to use a “portable” version that does not need to be installed. 2012 02 13- Five Data Recovery Apps That Could Make You A Hero (One Works Even After Reformat)http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-data-recovery-apps-that-could-make-you-a-hero/1288 2021 01 11- Introducing AnyRecover: An Intuitive Data Recovery Tool for Windows and Mac https://www.groovypost.com/sponsored/anyrecover-imyfone-data-recovery-review-windows-mac/ <snip>It’s happened to all of us at least once. 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It supports all popular file formats such as JPEG, PNG, PDF, MP3, MP4, MPEG, ZIP, Office documents, etc. You can download the tool from following link: Download Windows File Recovery for Windows 10</snip> 2020 06 29- Windows 10 Gets File Recovery Tool      John Lister http://www.infopackets.com/news/10778/windows-10-gets-file-recovery-tool Windows File Recovery only works with Windows 10 version 2004, which is the latest branch of Windows 10 released on May, 2020. The Windows File Recovery is only available through the dedicated MS Store, rather than users being able to download and install it from a website. (Source: microsoft.com) Find lost files after the update to Windows 10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12386/windows-10-find-lost-files-after-update .  *  See if you’re signed in with a temporary profile .  *  Look for the files using Search .  *  If you still can’t find your files, you may need to restore them from a backup .  *  Enable a Windows 7 Administrator account  One Additional point to try.  *  Look in C:\Windows.OLD\Users\your userid... https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files/recover-personal-files-from-the-windowsold-folder/755e0ea3-b16f-4d5d-89b5-abecfbf68300  2020 10 21- iBeesoft Data Recovery Makes Finding Lost Files a Breeze https://www.makeuseof.com/ibeesoft-data-recovery-finding-lost-files/ Never worry about losing a file again with iBeesoft Data Recovery.Have you ever had your heart jump into your throat when you realized that you accidentally deleted a file that you're going to need? 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