How To Find Microsoft Word Autosave Files

When it comes to working on important documents in Microsoft Word, unexpected computer crashes or power outages can be a nightmare. Losing hours of work is frustrating and can set you back significantly. But did you know that Microsoft Word has an autosave feature that can help you recover those lost files? Autosave automatically saves your document at regular intervals, ensuring that you never lose more than a few minutes of work. So, how do you find these autosave files when you need them?

Finding Microsoft Word autosave files is relatively simple. Depending on your operating system and Word version, the autosave files are typically saved in a specific location. In most cases, you can find them by opening Word, going to the "File" tab, selecting "Options," and then choosing the "Save" category. Here, you will see the filepath for the autosave location. Alternatively, you can also search for ".asd" files on your computer to locate the autosaves. By knowing how to find these autosave files, you can have peace of mind knowing that your important documents are protected and recoverable in case of any unforeseen events.

Understanding Microsoft Word Autosave Files

Microsoft Word Autosave is a feature designed to prevent data loss in case of sudden power outages, system crashes, or other unforeseen events. When enabled, Word automatically saves your document at regular intervals, creating temporary backup files known as autosave files. These files can be a lifesaver when you accidentally close a document without saving changes or experience a system failure. However, locating these autosave files can be a bit tricky if you're unfamiliar with the process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to find Microsoft Word autosave files on your system.

Checking the Default Autosave Location

By default, Microsoft Word saves autosave files in a specific location on your computer. To check the default autosave location:

• Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
• Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the Word window.
• Select "Options" from the drop-down menu.
• In the Word Options dialog box, choose "Save" from the left sidebar.

In the Save options, you will find the default autosave file location under the "AutoRecover file location" section. Make a note of the location or copy the file path.

Accessing Autosave Files Using File Explorer

Once you have the file path of the default autosave location, you can navigate to it using File Explorer:

• Open File Explorer on your computer by clicking on the folder icon in the taskbar or pressing the Windows key + E.
• Paste or type in the autosave file location in the address bar at the top of the File Explorer window and press Enter.
• You will now be in the autosave file location. Look for files with the extension ".asd". These are the Word autosave files.

If you find the autosave file you were looking for, you can open it in Microsoft Word by double-clicking on it. Word will then attempt to recover the document for you.

Changing the Autosave File Location

If you prefer to change the default autosave file location in Microsoft Word, you can do so by following these steps:

• Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
• Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the Word window.
• Select "Options" from the drop-down menu.
• In the Word Options dialog box, choose "Save" from the left sidebar.
• Under the "Save documents" section, find the "AutoRecover file location" field.
• Click on the "Browse" button next to the field.
• Select the new folder or location where you want to save the autosave files. You can create a new folder if needed.
• Click "OK" to save the changes.

From now on, Word will save the autosave files in the new location you specified.

Recovering Autosave Files

In case you accidentally closed a document without saving or experienced a Word crash, you can recover autosave files using the following steps:

• Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
• Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the Word window.
• Select "Open" from the drop-down menu.
• In the Open dialog box, click on the "Recover Unsaved Documents" button located at the bottom-right corner of the window.
• Word will open a folder containing the autosave files.
• Choose the autosave file you want to recover and click "Open".
• Word will attempt to recover the document and open it for you. Remember to save it to a permanent location after recovery.

Finding Autosave Files on Mac

If you are using Microsoft Word on a Mac, the process of finding autosave files is slightly different:

Checking the Default Autosave Location on Mac

To locate the default autosave location on your Mac:

• Open Finder on your Mac.
• In the menu bar, click on "Go" and then select "Go to Folder".
• In the "Go to the Folder" dialog box, type "~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/Library/Preferences/AutoRecovery/".
• Click "Go" or press Enter.

You will now be taken to the default autosave location on your Mac.

Changing the Autosave File Location on Mac

If you want to change the autosave file location on your Mac:

• Open Microsoft Word on your Mac.
• In the menu bar, go to "Word" and select "Preferences".
• In the Preferences dialog box, click on "File Locations".
• Under "AutoRecover files", click on the "Modify" button.
• Select the new folder or location where you want to save the autosave files. You can create a new folder if needed.
• Click "OK" to save the changes.

Word will now save the autosave files in the new location you specified on your Mac.

In Conclusion

Knowing how to find Microsoft Word Autosave files can be invaluable in situations where you may have accidentally closed a document without saving or experienced unexpected system errors. By checking the default autosave location, accessing the files through File Explorer or Finder, and learning how to change the autosave file location, you can easily locate and recover your precious documents. Make sure to save the recovered files in a permanent location to avoid any future data loss. Stay prepared and keep your files safe with the power of Microsoft Word Autosave.

Overview

The Autosave feature in Microsoft Word automatically saves your work at regular intervals, helping you recover unsaved or lost documents. However, finding these Autosave files can be challenging, especially if you're not familiar with the process.

Method 1: Access the File Location

• Open Microsoft Word and click on "File" at the top left corner of the screen.
• Click on "Options" and select "Save" from the left-hand menu.
• Scroll down to the "Save documents" section and note the path listed next to "AutoRecover file location."
• Open the File Explorer and navigate to the AutoRecover file location. Here you will find your Autosave files.

Method 2: Use the Search Function

• Open the File Explorer and click on the search bar at the top right corner.
• Type "*.asd" in the search bar and press Enter.
• The search results will display any Autosave files with the .asd extension. Double-click on a file to open it in Word.

Remember to manually save your work regularly to avoid relying solely on Autosave. Additionally, it is recommended to create backups of important documents to prevent data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for Microsoft Word autosave files? Here are some commonly asked questions to help you locate them with ease.

1. Where can I find the autosave files for Microsoft Word?

To find the autosave files for Microsoft Word, follow these steps:
1. Open the Word application.
2. Go to the "File" tab at the top left corner and click on it.
3. In the dropdown menu, select "Options".
4. A new window will open. Choose "Save" from the left sidebar.
5. Look for the field that says "AutoRecover file location" and note down the file path mentioned.
6. Close the Word application and navigate to the file path you noted down.
7. Here, you will find all the autosave files for Microsoft Word.

2. How frequently does Microsoft Word autosave files?

Microsoft Word autosave files at regular intervals to prevent data loss in case of unexpected shutdowns or crashes. By default, the autosave feature is set to save every 10 minutes. However, you can customize the autosave frequency based on your preference.

3. Can I recover a previous version of a Word document using autosave files?

Yes, you can recover a previous version of a Word document using autosave files. Follow these steps:
1. Open the Word application.
2. Go to the "File" tab at the top left corner and click on it.
3. Select "Open" from the dropdown menu.
4. In the file explorer window, navigate to the autosave file location (refer to the answer to the first question).
5. Look for the file with the ".asd" extension. This is the autosave file.
6. Open the autosave file, and you will see the previously saved version of your document.
7. Save the file with a new name to restore it as a separate document.

4. Can I change the location where Microsoft Word autosave files are stored?

Yes, you can change the location where Microsoft Word autosave files are stored. Follow these steps:
1. Open the Word application.
2. Go to the "File" tab at the top left corner and click on it.
3. In the dropdown menu, select "Options".
4. A new window will open. Choose "Save" from the left sidebar.
5. Look for the field that says "AutoRecover file location".
6. Click on the "Browse" button next to it.
7. Select the new location where you want to store the autosave files and click "OK".
8. The autosave files will now be saved in the new location.

5. How long are Microsoft Word autosave files retained?

By default, Microsoft Word retains autosave files for four days. After four days, the autosave files are deleted automatically. However, you can change this retention period in the Word options. Keep in mind that setting a longer retention period may consume more storage space on your computer.

To wrap up, finding Microsoft Word autosave files is a simple process that can help you recover unsaved or lost documents. Remember to check the default folder location for autosave files, which is usually in the AppData directory on your computer. You can also use the search function in File Explorer or try the temporary folder as an alternative option.

Make it a habit to save your documents regularly and use the autosave feature in Word to prevent data loss. It's also a good idea to enable the autosave feature and adjust the settings to meet your needs. By following these steps, you'll be well-prepared to handle any unexpected file loss and ensure continuity in your work.