In Microsoft Word, how can I use the AutoRecover feature to restore a document?

Microsoft Word (versions 97 and later) allows you to make an automatic backup of your working document. If the program crashes or your computer accidentally loses power, the AutoRecover feature will attempt to load the most up-to-date version of your document.

Note: AutoRecover is not a replacement for saving your document frequently, which is the only guaranteed way of retaining a valid copy of your work.

Enabling and using AutoRecover

To turn on the AutoRecover feature:

1. To access the AutoRecover options in Word 2007, click the Office Button at the upper left. At the bottom of the drop-down menu that appears, select Word Options. Then, from the toolbar on the left, click Save, which will allow you to configure AutoRecover options.

   In Word 2000, 2002, or 2003, from the Tools menu, select Options... . In Word v.X, 2004, or 2008, from the Word menu, select Preferences... . In Word 2001, from the Edit menu, select Preferences... .
   

2. In the window that opens, click the Save tab or list item.
   
   
3. Check the Save AutoRecover info every: checkbox (if it is unchecked), and type a value next to "minutes". For example, to save your work every five minutes, type  5 .
   
   
4. Click OK to make the change.

If a system or program crash causes your computer to shut down, simply reboot and open Word normally. Word should recognize that there is an AutoRecovered file that is newer than the last saved version of your document. It will prompt you to open and save the AutoRecovered file.

If the AutoRecover function does not prompt you to open the backup file, you may still be able to recover your work. Search your hard drive for a file called AutoRecovery or *.asd. In Windows, for help searching your hard drive, see In Windows, how do I locate a file if I know its name or its contents?

Windows

Word for Windows saves AutoRecovered files with the name AutoRecovery Save of filename.asd, where filename is the name of the document on which you were working:

• In Windows Vista, the file is stored in the \Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Word\ folder (username will be replaced by the author's username).
  
  
• In Windows 2000 and XP, the file is stored in the \Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Word folder (username will be replaced by the author's username).

When you find the file, open it, either by double-clicking it or, from Word's File menu, choosing Open... and browsing to its location.

Mac OS and Mac OS X

Word v.X, 2004, and 2008 save the AutoRecovered file as AutoRecover save of filename, where filename is the name of the document on which you were working. The AutoRecovered file may be in an invisible folder, but since the file itself is not invisible, you should be able to locate it with the Find File or Sherlock utility. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you can also use Spotlight.) Once you find the file, drag it out of the Items Found window to your desktop. Then double-click it, or, from Word's File menu, choose Open... to browse to and open the file.

Changing the default AutoRecover folder

To change the folder in which AutoRecovered files are stored:

Word 2007

1. In Word 2007, click the Office Button at the upper left. At the bottom of the drop-down menu that appears, select Word Options.
   
   
2. From the toolbar on the left, click Save, which will present you with options to customize how documents are saved.
   
   
3. Next to AutoRecover file location: , click Browse to choose the folder where you want Word to save your AutoRecovered files.
   
   
4. Click OK.

Other versions of Word

1. In Word 2000, 2002, or 2003, from the Tools menu, select Options... . In Word v.X, 2004, or 2008, from the Word menu, select Preferences... . In Word 2001, from the Edit menu, select Preferences... .
   
   
2. In the window that opens, click File Locations.
   
   
3. Under "File types", choose AutoRecover files and click Modify... .
   
   
4. Choose the folder where you want Word to save your AutoRecovered files. Click OK or Choose.
   
   
5. Click Close or OK.

Also see:

• In Microsoft Word, how do I stop Word from automatically inserting numbers and bullets?
• In Microsoft Word, how can I recover text from a damaged file?
• In Microsoft Word, what is the Spike, and how do I use it?
• In Microsoft Word, how do I change my default document folder?