Experiencing a sudden computer shutdown or laptop crash can be frustrating, especially if you were working on an important Word document. Fortunately, Microsoft Word often has built-in features to help you recover unsaved or lost documents. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to recover a Word document after a computer shutdown:
For Microsoft Word 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365:
Reopening Word:
- Open Microsoft Word again after restarting your computer.
- You may see a prompt labeled "Document Recovery" on the left side.
- Document Recovery Pane:
Look for the "Document Recovery" pane on the left side of the Word window. It should display a list of autosaved or unsaved documents.
Select Document:
Click on the document you want to recover from the list. Word will attempt to open and recover the selected document.
Save Document:
Once the document is open, save it immediately to prevent any potential loss in the future.
Check AutoRecover Folder:
If the Document Recovery pane doesn't appear or if your document is not listed, check the AutoRecover folder manually.
- Go to "File" > "Info."
- Click on "Manage Document" and select "Recover Unsaved Documents."
- Look for your document in the "UnsavedFiles" folder.
- Search for Temporary Files:
In some cases, Word may save temporary copies of your document.
Search for ".asd" files on your computer, as Word may have stored a temporary copy with this extension.
Use the AutoRecover Feature:
If you have the AutoRecover feature enabled, Word automatically saves versions of your document at specified intervals.
- Go to "File" > "Options."
- Select "Save" and check the "Save AutoRecover information" option.
- Find the AutoRecover folder location, and check for any recent versions of your document.
Look for Temporary Files:
- Word often creates temporary files while you're working on a document.
- Search for ".tmp" files on your computer, as these files might contain unsaved changes.
Check the Document Properties:
- If you previously saved the document, open Word and navigate to "File" > "Open."
- Select "Recent" and scroll down to "Recover Unsaved Documents."
- Windows File Recovery Tool:
Use Windows File Recovery, a command-line tool, to recover deleted or lost files. This tool is available for Windows 10.
Remember, the effectiveness of these steps depends on various factors, including your system settings and the specific circumstances of the shutdown. Regularly saving your work and enabling AutoRecover can significantly reduce the risk of data loss in the event of an unexpected shutdown.