AutoRecover in Microsoft Word

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AutoRecover in Microsoft Word

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

Source: http://kb.indiana.edu/data/ahnd.html

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. Saving your document frequently is the only guaranteed way of retaining a valid copy of your work.

Enabling and using AutoRecover

To turn on the AutoRecover feature:

1. In Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003, from the Tools menu, select Options... . In Word v.X and 2004, from the Word menu, select Preferences... . In Word 2001, from the Edit menu, select Preferences... . In Word 98, from the Tools menu, select Preferences... .
2. In the window that opens, click the Save tab or list item.
3. Place a checkmark in 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 the Knowledge Base document 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 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).
• In Word 2000 or 2002 in Windows NT, the file is stored in the \Winnt\Profiles\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Word folder (username will be replaced by the author's username).
• In Word 2000 or 2002 in Windows 95, 98, or Me, the file is stored in the \Windows\Application Data\Office\Word folder.
• In Word 97 in Windows 95, 98, and Me, the file is stored in the \Windows\Temp folder.

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 98, 2001, v.X, and 2004 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. 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

If you want to change the folder in which AutoRecovered files are stored:

1. In Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003, from the Tools menu, select Options... . In Word v.X and 2004, from the Word menu, select Preferences... . In Word 2001, from the Edit menu, select Preferences... . In Word 98, from the Tools 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 (Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003), Choose (Word 2001, v.X, and 2004), or Use Selected Folder (Word 98).
5. Click Close (Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003) or OK (Word 98, 2001, v.X, and 2004).