How to Specify a Location for Automatically Recovered Word Documents

It can be so frustrating when you have worked for hours on a Word document, only to have Word--or your computer--freeze up on you. You restart Word or reboot your computer, crossing your fingers and breathing a prayer that some shred of your document will have been saved. Fortunately, Microsoft Office has Automatic File Recovery, which will recoup at least part of your document. You can configure where you want these recovered files to be located.

Instructions

1. Start Microsoft Word. Open a new blank document or an existing one. Click "Tools" on the toolbar, and then click "Options". The "Options" dialog box will open.

2. Click the "File Locations" tab. In the "File Locations" box under "File Types," find "AutoRecover Files" and select it.

3. Click the "Modify" button. The "Modify" dialog box will open. The "Modify Location" window will appear, showing the current location of your automatically recovered files.

4. Navigate to the location where you want automatically recovered Word documents to be stored by using the "Look In" drop-down menu or the task pane. When you have found the location you want to use, click "OK."

5. Click "OK" to close the "Options" dialog box and save your changes.

Tips & Warnings

• If your Word document freezes up, click "Start" and point to "All Programs" or "Programs". Point to "Microsoft Office", and then "Microsoft Office Tools." Click on "Application Recovery" and follow the steps to recover your files.

• Do not solely depend on the AutoRecover feature; you should save your documents at regular intervals.