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How to Recover an Unsaved Word Document

Look for Word's AutoRecover or unsaved-document copy after a crash or accidental close.

Quick Answer

Reopen Word and check Document Recovery, or use File → Info → Manage Document → Recover Unsaved Documents when available.

Step by Step

  1. Make a backup copy of the original document before making major or irreversible changes.
  2. Reopen Word and check Document Recovery, or use File → Info → Manage Document → Recover Unsaved Documents when available.
  3. Review the output carefully, including page order, formatting, images, and text.
  4. Save the result with a new filename until you are sure it is correct.

If That Doesn't Work

  • Exact menu names differ between Adobe Acrobat/Reader, Microsoft Office, browsers, macOS, Windows, and third-party applications.
  • For confidential documents, avoid uploading files to an unknown online converter; use trusted software or services.