How to Recover a Word Document That Closed

Microsoft Word keeps a backup copy of an open document with the help of its AutoRecover feature. This helps in retrieving any information that you may have lost when Word crashes or shuts down unexpectedly.

Instructions

1. Launch Microsoft Word. If you are using Vista, hit the Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen represented by the Windows logo. If you are using Windows XP or lower, hit the "Start" button (also at the bottom left corner.) Click on "All Programs" and then click on "Microsoft Office." Select "Microsoft Office Word" to launch the program.

2. Click on the MS Office icon on the top left corner if you are using Word 2007. Hit 'Word Options" button at the bottom. Click on "Save" on the left panel of the dialog box "Customize how documents are saved." If you are using Word 2003 or lower, click on "Tools" on the top bar and select "Options." Hit the "Save" tab.

3. Make sure the box titled "Set AutoRecover Information" is checked. It is the sixth option from the top in Office 2003. In Office 2007, it is the second option under "Save documents." Set a time span for Word to auto-save its information. Typically, it is set at 10 minutes.

4. Hit the "Start" button and click on "Search" if you are using Windows XP. Select "All Files and Folders." Hit the start button characterized by the Windows logo at the bottom left corner if you are using Windows Vista. The search bar will be the very first option.

5. Type "*.doc" in the search box if you use Microsoft Word 2003 or lower. Type "*.docx" if you use Word 2007. Click on "Search."

6. Click on the column-tab titled "Date" or "Time" at the top bar to sort all the word files that were modified or saved on a specific date or time. Locate the lost document by its file name. Once you find the document, click on it to make sure it has all the information that you put in there before it shut down unexpectedly.

7. Save the file with a different name in a secured location on your hard drive. You can now resume working on your Word document.

References

• Microsoft Support: How to recover a lost Word document