How to Fix 3 Data Loss Scenarios in Microsoft Word

Data loss issues due to faulty Microsoft Word files can be frustrating and stressful. Luckily there are ways to recover lost or corrupted Microsoft Word documents. Check out some of the ways you can lose data from Microsoft Word files and how you can repair them.

One of the most commonly used word processing documents out there is Microsoft Word. Because of how common it is, many businesses and individuals store important data on it.

Unfortunately, Microsoft Word documents can get lost or corrupted. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to retrieve the data. Here are three data loss scenarios with Microsoft Word and what to do about it.

I want to recover a Word document that was accidentally deleted

If you or another user accidentally deleted a Word document, chances are that it’s just in the Recycle Bin.

1. Go to the Recycle Bin and click to open it.
2. Look for your document. Chances are you might find it right away, but if there are a lot of documents you can also use the Search box to find it.
3. Click on the file you want. Right-click to produce a drop down menu with a list of options.
4. Choose restore.

The computer crashed and now my Word document is missing

1. Reopen Microsoft Word. Word has an Auto-recovery feature and you could see your document on listed in a panel on the side. Find the most recent version and save it.
2. If what you are looking for isn’t there, click on “File.”
3. You will be brought to a screen that says “Word Options”, go to the option “Save.”
4. Look for the item “AutoRecover file location” then copy the file location filepath in the box.
5. Open File Explorer and paste the filepath you copied above and search for it.
6. Open the folder. You should see documents that share the name of the file you are looking for but instead of .doc, they are .asd. Those are the auto-saved files Word made while you were working.
7. Copy the .asd file that has the most recent modification data and time stamp.
8. Go back to Word, go to “File” and choose the option “Open”.
9. Click on the option “Recover Unsaved Documents”, this will open a folder.
10. Into that folder, paste the file you copied in step seven.
11. Open the file than save it with a new name.

I want to recover a Word document that was unsaved

You can recover unsaved Word documents on Word itself.

1. On Word, go to the “File” tab.
2. From the options presented to you, choose the one that says “Manage Document”. A drop down menu will appear, choose “Recover Unsaved Documents”.
3. A dialogue box will appear. If the file was only recently “lost” it should appear there.
4. Click on and open the recovered file.
5. On top of the document, there will be a message: RECOVERED UNSAVED FILE This is a recovered file that is temporarily that is temporarily stored on your computer. There will also be a button that says “Save As.”
6. Click “Save As” and save the recovered document under a new name.

While these three tips will work, it might be quicker and more effective to run a data recovery program if you have one installed.  DataNumen Word Repair is a good option. It will quickly repair and recover corrupt Microsoft Word documents ensuring that any data loss you suffer from is temporary.