Losing an unsaved Word document can be a real headache, but don’t worry—recovering it is usually possible. Whether your computer crashed or you accidentally closed the document without saving, there’s a good chance you can get your work back. Here’s a quick overview of how to do it: open Word 2019, go to the “File” tab, check “Recover Unsaved Documents,” and search for your file.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Recover Unsaved Word 2019 Document
Losing progress on a document can be frustrating, but Word 2019 has built-in features to help you recover unsaved files. The following steps will guide you through the process of retrieving your lost work.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word 2019
Open the Microsoft Word 2019 application on your computer.
When you open Word 2019, it will typically display the start screen where you can select a blank document or a template. If your Word opened an existing document instead, make sure to go to the “File” tab on the top left corner of the screen to proceed with the next steps.
Step 2: Go to the ‘File’ tab
Click on the ‘File’ tab in the upper-left corner of the Word window.
The ‘File’ tab is part of the Microsoft Office ribbon. It’s where you’ll find options to manage your document, such as ‘Save,’ ‘Save As,’ and ‘Open.’ It’s also where you will find the feature to recover unsaved documents.
Step 3: Click on ‘Info’
In the ‘File’ tab menu, click on ‘Info’ on the left sidebar.
Once you click ‘Info,’ it will take you to a screen where you will see document protection settings and related document management options.
Step 4: Check ‘Manage Document’
Under the ‘Info’ section, look for the ‘Manage Document’ button and click on it.
When you click ‘Manage Document,’ a dropdown menu will appear. This menu gives you several options to manage your document versions and recover unsaved files.
Step 5: Select ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’
From the ‘Manage Document’ dropdown menu, select ‘Recover Unsaved Documents.’
After selecting ‘Recover Unsaved Documents,’ a dialog box will open, displaying all unsaved documents that Word has recovered. These are usually temporary files that Word saves in case of an unexpected shutdown or crash.
Step 6: Search for Your Document
In the dialog box, look for your unsaved document by the file name or the date it was last modified.
If you remember the name of your document, type it into the search bar in the dialog box. If not, you can sort the files by date to find the most recent ones.
Step 7: Open and Save Your Document
Select your document from the list and click ‘Open.’ Then, immediately save the document to prevent losing it again.
Once you have opened the unsaved document, it’s crucial to save it right away. You can do this by clicking the ‘Save As’ button in the ‘File’ tab and choosing a location on your computer to save the file.
After completing these steps, your unsaved Word 2019 document should be recovered and saved safely on your computer.
Tips for Recovering Unsaved Word 2019 Document
- Save your work frequently to avoid losing progress.
- Use the ‘AutoRecover’ feature in Word to automatically save backup copies.
- Check the ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ folder periodically, especially after a crash or unexpected shutdown.
- Customize the ‘Save’ options in Word to set shorter intervals for AutoRecover saves.
- Keep track of the names of your documents to make them easier to find in case you need to recover them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AutoRecover in Word 2019?
AutoRecover is a feature in Word that automatically saves a backup copy of your document at set intervals.
AutoRecover helps to protect your documents in case of a crash or power failure. It’s not a replacement for regularly saving your work, but it provides a safety net for unexpected incidents.
How often does Word 2019 save documents using AutoRecover?
By default, Word 2019 saves AutoRecover information every 10 minutes.
However, you can adjust this interval to be more frequent. To do so, go to ‘File,’ then ‘Options,’ ‘Save,’ and change the time in the ‘Save AutoRecover information every’ field.
Where are the unsaved Word documents stored?
Unsaved Word documents are stored in a temporary folder, typically located in the Word application’s data directory.
You can access this folder by following the ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ steps mentioned above, or you can manually navigate to the folder using File Explorer on Windows.
Can I recover an unsaved document if Word crashes?
Yes, you can often recover an unsaved document if Word crashes, thanks to the AutoRecover feature.
When you restart Word after a crash, it will usually prompt you to recover unsaved documents. If it doesn’t, you can manually recover the file using the steps outlined in this article.
What should I do if I can’t find my unsaved document in the ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ folder?
If you can’t find your document in the ‘Recover Unsaved Documents’ folder, you can try searching for temporary files with the .asd extension on your computer.
Use the search function in File Explorer to look for *.asd files, which are AutoRecover files. If you find a file with a similar timestamp to when you were working on the document, open it in Word to see if it’s the correct one.
Summary
- Open Microsoft Word 2019.
- Click on the ‘File’ tab.
- Select ‘Info.’
- Click on ‘Manage Document.’
- Choose ‘Recover Unsaved Documents.’
- Look for your document.
- Open and immediately save your document.
Conclusion
Recovering an unsaved Word 2019 document might seem daunting at first, but as you can see, it’s quite straightforward when you follow the right steps. The key is not to panic and to take action as soon as possible. The sooner you attempt to recover your document, the better your chances of getting it back. The built-in features of Word 2019 are designed to protect your work, but it’s also important to form good habits, like saving regularly and making use of the AutoRecover function.
Remember, technology can be unpredictable, and even the most reliable programs can experience hiccups. By being prepared and knowing how to recover unsaved Word 2019 documents, you can save yourself a lot of stress and avoid losing important work. So, next time you’re deep into typing up your masterpiece and something goes awry, take a deep breath and follow these steps—you’ll likely be back on track in no time.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.